Dana believes in "educating others about state-of-the-art technology to make life easier and less stressful. It certainly helps me!"

Because society tends to confuse physical ability with functionability, having a disability can potentially undermine one's self-confidence in every aspect of life. Competencies are often overlooked in schools, work places, and in communities. Therefore, people with disabilities will best understand that the physical self is only one part of the entire self. In fact, a disability motivates many to test out all they can be, and make their dreams realities.

Dana Greenman, born with profound hearing loss, has realized her full potential. Her personal aspirations reflect those of many within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. Dana pursues her goals with determination. Having been told a foreign language would be difficult to accomplish, Dana proved others wrong and studied Spanish for six years; she even lived with a Spanish-speaking family in Mexico for one college term. As an undergraduate, Dana majored in Communications and presented the news weekly at her school's radio station. Dana went on to earn a master's degree in Social Work from Gallaudet University, where she also learned American Sign Language. Dana enjoys playing the piano and traveling to different countries with family and friends.

Hearing loss can be challenging in various social situations because of communication nuances between people. Something like attending a staff meeting or taking a college course can be challenging. So how was Dana able to address these challenges? Her recipe is hard work and building a solid support system-one that includes good friends, family, college advisors, and even supervisors who agree to act as mentors.

The third ingredient is optimizing the use and application of assistive technology devices. Following is a history of devices Dana has used or uses now. Dana believes in "educating others about state-of-the-art technology to make life easier and less stressful. It certainly helps me!"

I was born deaf as a result of my mother contacting German Measles while pregnant with me. I have profound hearing loss in both ears and wear two hearing aids. My parents did not know I was deaf until I was three years old. At that time, I received hearing aids and began speech therapy. My parents decided I would learn to speak. (I did not learn sign language until I was 22 years old, when I attended Gallaudet University.) I was also placed in a special education program until I was mainstreamed into homeroom in first grade. I received itinerant services until the end of eighth grade. Then I attended high school and college without any assistive devices, except for a notetaker for one course because the professor spoke very fast.

It was not until I attended Gallaudet University that I began learning about available resources and devices for deaf and hard of hearing persons. I also began advocating for myself. Growing up, I used an amplifier with the telephone and an alarm clock with a bed shaker. When I was 22 years old, I received my first TTY. After graduate school, I purchased a VCO (voice carry over) telephone and familiarized myself with current technology. Looking back on my life, I feel I could have made my life easier by accepting help, but I must have felt that I wanted to be "like everyone else."

• An Ameriphone VCO (voice carry over) telephone, allows me to speak on the telephone and read what the other person says on a screen. I use the relay service when making a VCO call if the other person doesn't have a TTY, or I use the VCO without the relay service, if the other person has a TTY. A VCO also can be used as a regular telephone and comes with an amplifier. I've used it both ways.
  
  
• The Krown Manufacturing Pocket Speak and Read VCO (PVCO) is portable. I place it on the earpiece of the handset on any telephone (pay telephone, cordless telephone, traditional telephone, or cellular telephone) and use it the same way I use the VCO. I speak and read what the other person says.
  
  
• The Ericsson 778 cellular telephone is compatible with hearing aids. I use a T-switch on my hearing aid to have a better connection with the caller's voice. The T-switch on my hearing aid blocks out background noise so I only hear the other person's voice.
  
  
• A HATIS device is designed for hearing aid users with a telecoil (T-switch, T-coil). It allows me to have a better connection with someone's voice. I use the HATIS with a cellular telephone. (I would need a cable connector to plug it into a telephone that does not have an audio jack.) I use it with a cordless telephone. The HATIS eliminates digital interference and comes with a built-in microphone.
  
  
• I use an Ameriphone in-line amplifier for the telephone at work. It allows me to have up to 30 decibels of amplification, as well as tone control (clarity). This device is portable and plugs into a traditional telephone through the curly cord.
  
  
• I use a WorldView TTY system at my job at HITEC (See resources below.). The WorldView TTY is a software system for my computer that gives me access to the Internet, e-mail, and a TTY in one place. When I take or make a TTY call, it's through my computer. Using e-mail also simplifies my life because I can communicate with others quickly and clearly.

At HITEC, I began using the PVCO, Ericsson cellular telephone, HATIS device, and WorldView TTY. I have used a VCO telephone and in-line amplifier for a long time. These devices give me better telecommunication-ability and make a big difference! Currently, I am focused on my work in sales and marketing at HITEC. During my time off, I enjoy being with family and friends. I'm also learning how to play golf.

Resources
Hearmore
http://www.hearmore.com/Scripts/default.asp
42 Executive Blvd, Farmingdale NY 11735
(631) 752-0738 voice
(631) 752-0689 fax
Distributors of amplified telephones, TTYs, and other telecommunication devices; shop on-line.

HITEC Group International
8160 Madison Avenue, Burr Ridge, IL 60521
(800) 288-8303 voice (toll-free)
(630) 654-9200 voice
(888) 654-9219 fax
(800) 536-8890 TTY
Web site: http://www.hitec.com E-mail: info@hitec.com
HITEC Group International distributes a diverse selection of communication products and other assistive technology devices for people with speech, visual, auditory and mobility impairments. They also act as communication consultants.

Phone Merchants
http://www.phonemerchants.com/hearimeq.html
Phone merchants are distributors of a large selection of adapted telephones, including TTYs and VCOs; on-line shopping.

Note: Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend the above-mentioned products and has no liability for the results of their use. Infinitec Inc. has received no consideration of any type for featuring this product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief overview of various assistive technology devices and their applications.