Browser-based video communication for deaf people

Abstract

This paper describes work in progress to to provide browser-based sign language communication for deaf users. The paper introduces the communication requirements for a disadvantaged Deaf community in Cape Town, describes related work of generic open source browser-based video and video systems targeted specifically to Deaf users. We posit an experimental design to test if Adobe Flash can help provide an acceptable video system for Deaf users. We wish to learn if the transport and video quality of browser-based Adobe Flash video can provide an effective platform for sign language communication.