How Text messaging Has Changed the Deaf Community
Summary
Though many with unimpaired hearing take it for granted, text messaging has been one such technology, steadily changing life for many members of the deaf community as it has grown in popularity and reach. While text messaging developed and spread due to its multifaceted convenience for all people, the deaf community has especially benefited from the shift of the world towards SMS. Phones with full, user-friendly qwerty keyboards and, more recently, touchscreen devices are not only an effect of the spike in the popularity of SMS, but a cause of the mediums further growth. Though SMS is a widespread technology, it enjoys an especially high volume of use among many members of the deaf community, and can be put to task in very specific, functional ways. To minimize asking for voicemail translations, the deaf can elect to include a recorded voice message when their phone is called stating that they prefer to receive a text.