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>>>Anchor: When we do stories about texting it's usually about bad stuff. Distracted driving.
Bad manners. But we learned today that it's a technology that makes the lives of thousands
of people -- who live in this community -- much easier. Berkeley Brean is live in the
newsroom with this story.
>>>Reporter: Hi Nicki. I was able to interview someone today, but if it wasn't for the texting
feature on my phone and his, it never would have happened. Take a look. It's your typical
college cafeteria. Hanging out with friends and texting like crazy. But here, there's
something different.
>>>Student: My mom got mad at me last month because I made more than 10,000 texts.
>>>Reporter: Kristiana Phillips and Alex Garvey are students at the RIT's National Technical
Institute for the Deaf. They use texting and technology not just for fun but to communicate
in class and with people who can hear.
>>>Student: It helps me. If I can't understand a word, if you mumble or you don't speak loud
enough for me I just text or write on paper. But texting is better. Faster.
>>>Reporter: Kristiana translated for her friend Alex.
>>>Student: You can use texting to depend on reading, writing and communicating with
hearing people.
>>>Bill: So if I was on it, I could say here is what's going on at NTID.
>>>Reporter: Bill Clymer is in charge of new technology at NTID. He says texting, and a
feature on the new iPhone, create a level playing field. Watch him sign on the phone.
>>>Bill: So we think that this is a very real possibility for assistive technology.
>>>Reporter: With Alex Garvey, it was more old fashion. I texted him a question: "Does
texting help you communicate with hearing people?" Soon after he got it, he replies,
"Yes it does." Before, that simple give and take could not have happened without a translator.
It's technology that's making their lives better. Could you live without your cell phone
and your texting?
>>>Student: No! I can't live without it.
>>>Reporter: So in some ways, no different from any other student at RIT. This is Deaf
Awareness Week here in Rochester. We have the most hard-of-hearing people per capita
in the entire country. Nicki, they don't have an exact number but it's somewhere into the
several thousands of people.
>>>Anchor: Another reason why we try to keep your closed captioning up to date right there.
Berkeley Brean with our report. Thanks Berkeley. And we've had quite a reaction to this story
on our website. Johnny Jackets writes, "It definitely helps to bridge some gaps in communication
between the deaf population and those that don't understand sign language. I'm glad texting
is getting some positive press for once." Penny Higgins, who works with many deaf people
writes, "Text messaging has changed everything. I would never have been able to coordinate
meetings and events with these new friends in the absence of text messaging. So while
on the one hand I think texting can be a terrible vice for the hearing, for the deaf it is a
wonderful and positive tool."