Getting acquainted with Talking Signs^®

Talking Signs Installations allow persons who cannot read signs to hear the kinds of information that are on print signs. Experienced users of the Talking Signs system find their travel easier and more fun.

• Talking Signs transmitters provide labels and directions such as "Reception Desk", "Conference Rooms Ahead," or "Public Telephone."
• The messages are spoken by a Talking Signs receiver which is held in your hand.

Cautions

• Talking Signs transmitters give you environmental informatio~they do not provide additional safety.
• They do not substitute for any of the aids,independent travel.
• When you travel in potentially hazardous areas, be sure you don't get distracted by the Talking Signs system.

Getting Started

A neck strap is attached to one end of the receiver. On the opposite end is a little hole where the message comes in. Be sure you don't cover this hole when you are using the receiver.

Now you will learn the steps for using the Talking Signs system.

Practice these three steps:

1. SEARCH for a Talking Sign signal
2. FACE THE CENTER of the signal.
3. LISTEN while walking toward the signal

These steps are described in more detail below.

SEARCH for a Talking Sign signal

Go to an area where you know there is a transmitter (so you will not be frustrated when you start practicing).

• Hang the receiver around your neck with the button facing away from your body.
• Pick the receiver up and hold it level. The "on" button should be on top.
• Press the "on" button with your thumb. The receiver works only when you press this button.
• Be sure the hole where the message comes in is pointing away from your body. It is on the end of the receiver opposite the neck strap.
• Search to your left and then to your right by moving your wrist and/or arm-not your whole body.

If there is a Talking Sign transmitter in front of you and nearby, you should hear its message coming from your receiver.

As you search back and forth, you will find that there are areas far to your left and far to your right where you cannot hear the signal. You should hear the message clearly in between these two areas.

Search only while standing still.

It's like tuning your radio, only instead of turning the dial to get the best signal, you turn the receiver to find the exact center of the signal.

• Search far enough to the left and to the right to lose the signal on either side of your body.
• Turn to face the exact center of the signal field. This is the direction of the sign.

• Point the receiver straight in front of you.
• Hold the receiver level.
• As you walk toward the sign, remember to use standard protective mobility skills.

Talking Signs transmitters are usually mounted above doorways, on the wall, or hanging down from the ceiling.
They are close to a destination, but not right at the destination.
They are usually mounted 5 to 10 feet high.

• Walk toward the sign for your destination until you arrive or until you lose the signal.
• Use other cues such as listening for footsteps or the sounds of doors, or exploring with your hand, foot, or long cane to finally locate destinations.

If not, the following steps will help you to find the signal again quickly.

1. STOP, SEARCH, and FACE THE CENTER.

   Search all the way to your left and all the way to your right. If you find the signal, face the exact center of the signal field.

2. If you do not find the signal, you may be very close to the sign, or even under it. To confirm that you are under a sign, tilt or lift the receiver up.
3. If you still don't find the signal, you may have taken a few steps after the signal disappeared. Continue straight ahead for a short distance, looking for your destination or listening for another signal.
4. If you still have not found the signal, retrace your steps to where you last heard the message clearly.

• STOP, SEARCH, and FACE THE CENTER
• Tilt or lift the receiver up to confirm that you are under a sign.
• If you don't find the signal, keep going straight a little farther.
• If you don't find your destination or another helpful message, retrace your steps.

1. Be sure you search only when you are standing still.
2. Hold the receiver flat while both searching and listening.
3. Stop to search often, because signals can be close together.
4. Search slowly.
5. In dangerous situations such as on stairs or escalators, or while crossing a street, let the receiver hang from the neck strap.
6. Make sure you find both edges of the signal. You can't find the middle of something if you haven't found both edges of it!
7. Facing the center of the signal is extremely important. Do not begin to move toward a signal before you have centered it. If you just walk toward a clear signal without facing the exact center of the signal field, you may need to stop and adjust your direction many times.
8. Listen while you walk toward a signal to make sure you are continuing in the correct direction. Hold the button down, but don't search from side to side.
9. Listen when you have no signal, but stop and search frequently.
10. Get the whole message! Messages may start in the middlelike turning on the radio in the middle of a song.
11. A message may give you directions like "Passageway to elevators and restrooms." This means you must keep going, remembering there may or may not be another sign at the destination.
12. Recognize reflections. An unclear message could be a reflection. Messages are transmitted using infrared light, which may reflect oft of a nearby surface opposite the sign.

    The real signal will be clear. It could be behind you.

13. Remember that if you pass under a sign, you've already gotten the information it had for you; it is no longer relevant. Continue in the same direction you were traveling and look for your destination or for other messages.
14. There will be times when you don't have any relevant message or any message at all, so use your other skills. Just keep listening, stopping occasionally to search.
15. lf you're having problems, reread these sections:

    -SEARCH for a Talking Sign signal.
    -FACE THE CENTER of the signal.
    -LISTEN while walking toward the signal
    -When you lose a signal