Pilot Project Benefits Hearing Impaired in Nunavut enabled by new broadband Internet connections

April 10, 2013 10:00 ET
Pilot Project Benefits Hearing Impaired in Nunavut
Excerpt -
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/pilot-project-benefits-hearing-impaired-in-nunavut-1777322.htm

Videoconference initiative enabled by new broadband Internet connections
IQALUIT, NUNAVUT--(Marketwired - April 10, 2013) - Six communities across
Nunavut are participating in a pilot project to test videoconference
equipment that will better facilitate communication for the deaf in the
territory, thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and
Nunavut, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC), and the
Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute (CDRTI).
[...]
Dr. James MacDougall of CDRTI, who has been involved with a Government of
Nunavut-sponsored project to document Inuit Sign Language, stated that,
"Video Phone technology can greatly assist in the full inclusion of deaf
Nunavummiut in all aspects of community life. This represents one of the
core values of Nunavut."
Wendy Ireland, Executive Director of the Nunavummi Disabilities
Makinnasuaqtiit Society, is excited about the possibilities. "This is
obviously a great advance for deaf people, but it also holds considerable
potential for people with other types of disabilities who need face to
face communication within and between communities from the comfort of
their home."
This pilot project is part of Meet Online, a suite of videoconferencing
solutions designed to operate over Nunavut's satellite-based network. Meet
Online has dedicated bandwidth that offers a reliable connection between
any two communities in Nunavut. Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit,
Pond Inlet, and Arctic Bay are all participating in this pilot project.
Equipment is also located in Ottawa and Montréal to test communications
with southern Canada.
This videoconferencing pilot, which was developed with QINIQ service
provider SSi Micro Ltd., is funded through NBDC's Infrastructure II
project. The Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute (CDRTI)
helped identify participants across Nunavut and is the primary partner in
the project.
[...]
BACKGROUNDER
NUNAVUT BROADBAND
The Government of Canada is providing a total contribution of $21,601,175
to the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) to increase
satellite capacity, produce new bandwidth management tools and upgrade the
existing QINIQ network for the benefit of 25 communities:
- Arctic Bay (Nanisivik)
- Arviat
- Baker Lake
- Cambridge Bay
- Cape Dorset
- Chesterfield Inlet
- Clyde River
- Coral Harbour
- Gjoa Haven
- Grise Fiord
- Hall Beach
- Igloolik
- Iqaluit
- Kimmirut
- Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay)
- Kugluktuk
- Pangnirtung
- Pond Inlet
- Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island)
- Rankin Inlet
- Repulse Bay
- Resolute Bay
- Sanikiluaq
- Taloyoak (Spence Bay)
- Whale Cove