Towards creation of a communications support environment: Barrier-free communications

Abstract

This paper describes the research on the barrier-free communication focusing on the information communication technology that it should realize in aging society in the twenty-first century. To begin with, the research of the information barrier-free in which the elderly and the disabled would not be covered with the disadvantage in reception and transmission of information is described. Especially, robustness of the system and utilization of non-verbal information are important in the technology of sign language and voice interpretation that support the communication between deaf people and normal listener. Next, robotic communication terminals which supports the mobility such as free and easy strolls of the elderly and the disabled is described. It is important that the system would be able to correspond to dynamism of the real world and diversity of the elderly and the disabled.