Thread Subject: Re: 1194.25 (f) Voice Output in Public Area

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From: Diane Golden
Date: Fri, Jun 08 2007 4:45 PM

The problem I'm having is with speaker output. If the output is delivered
via headset, handset, coupling with personal amplification - there needs to
be a set base output (65dB SLP is reasonable) with some adjustable gain
amount (20 dB might be reasonable) and a auto reset to default. But when
the output is free field (delivered by a speaker) the original base of the
output will vary dependent on the environment. A noisy environment will
require more base output so I don't know how to set a base nor how to
identify a reasonable gain adjustment because whatever you come up with
might work or might not dependent on the environment.

Part of me is thinking speaker output is just not going to be accessible in
a lot of environments and there shouldn't be any attempt to write a standard
to get there. Could a "directly coupled" audio output option be required
(e.g. headset, handset, direct connect to amplification, etc.) instead of
trying to make the speaker output accessible? Or is that not feasible?

Diane

Diane Cordry Golden, Ph.D., Director
Missouri Assistive Technology
816/350-5280 (direct voice)
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
www.at.mo.gov


-----Original Message-----
From: Debbie Cook [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 11:25 AM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; TEITAC self contained/closed products
subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-closed] 1194.25 (f) Voice Output in Public Area


Is the real issue adjustability within a range? If I have an ATM with speech
output, I'll want private listening with adjustable volume. If I go to a
fare machine, I don't need to whip out headphones for so much privacy but
unless I do have a hearing loss I also don't need it to blare out over the
room that I just bought $5 worth of fare. And if I do have the hearing loss,
I might rather use it with my amplification device rather than having it
blare out. But I might need to raise the volume as the train rumbles by. So,
are there really many or any situations where we want to specify a static
volume output?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Diane Golden" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
To: "'TEITAC self contained/closed products subcommittee'"
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: [teitac-closed] 1194.25 (f) Voice Output in Public Area


Couple of problems with this output requirement --
The dB level does not specify a scale like sound pressure level (SPL).
Assuming it means dB SPL then 65 dB SLP is really not sufficiently for
delivery via speaker in a public area with any degree of ambient noise. If
the audio is being delivered via headset, handset, or some other coupling to
a persons ear or hearing aid - the 65 dB SPL level makes more sense.

Diane Golden
NASCIO

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]On Behalf Of Sean Hayes
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:35 PM
To: TEITAC self contained/closed products subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-closed] 1194.25 (f) Voice Output in Public Area


Can you clarify whether this is intended for products permanently installed
in a public area, or whether it is intended to apply to closed products like
a personal music device or phone being operated in public area.

Thanks,

Sean Hayes
Standards and Policy Team
Corporate Accessibility Group
Microsoft
Phone:
mob +44 7977 455002
office +44 117 9719730


-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Debbie Cook
Sent: 06 June 2007 22:28
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
Subject: [teitac-closed] 1194.25 (f) Voice Output in Public Area

Current Language:
When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume
control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at
least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45
dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user
selectable.
A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the
default level after every use.

Discussion:
The only issue raised is that it is generally difficult to determine ambient
noise level in a public place especially where that noise level may change.
Can we just prescribe the 65DB and that it is otherwise user selectable
without trying to deal with variations in ambient noise?

Debbie Cook
WA Assistive Technology Program
Box 357920
Seattle, WA 98195-7920
Phone: 206-685-4181

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