[misc.handicap] Hearing Impaired Device ???

Joe.Toubes@f3.n290.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Toubes) (01/05/90)

Index Number: 6059

Has anyone any handle on where one can obtain a door bell/buzzer for the 
hearing impaired?  What I 'm looking for is some device that when a 
doorbell is tripped a light would flash, perhaps something with a relay 
that would need resetting instead of shuting off??

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!290!3!Joe.Toubes
Internet: Joe.Toubes@f3.n290.z1.fidonet.org

Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk) (01/05/90)

Index Number: 6075

 JT> Has anyone any handle on where one can obtain a door bell/buzzer for 
 JT> the hearing impaired?  What I 'm looking for is some device that when 
 JT> a doorbell is tripped a light would flash, perhaps something with a 
 JT> relay that would need resetting instead of shuting off??
   =
   I am using a Radio Shack car burglar alarm connected to a car light  
(small running light or turn signal) and powered by a 12volt power supply  
sold to run car radios indoors.  The alarm comes with a key switch but I  
replaced it with a push button switch for resetting.  You need a flasher for  
it also if you want it to flash.  It will stay on until reset but after the  
first min or so it cuts out and only flashes a few times every 15 seconds or  
so (mine is a older alarm and the new ones may not work this way.)
   There may be eaiser and cheaper ways of doing this.   I'm using this  
equipment because I already had it (the alarm came out of a car...)

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Stu.Turk
Internet: Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org

Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) (01/05/90)

Index Number: 6083

 JT> What I 'm looking for is some device that when a doorbell is
 JT> tripped a light would flash, perhaps something with a relay
 JT> that would need resetting instead of shuting off??

Hi Joe.  There are many approaches to this.  I use a Radio Shack
Universal Interface (RS 63-2687) connected to a doorbell pushbutton,
and the "Plug-n-Power" X-10 lamp modules.  This way you can flash
as many lights as you please, all over your house, when the doorbell
is rung.  They will latch on until reset.  I use a similar setup for
telephone ring detection as well.

Another approach, maybe even slicker, is to get one of the new infra
red motion detectors that will turn on a light inside as well as
outside when someone approaches.  With this, you know someone is
coming even before they push the button.

Using "off-the-shelf" components like these is generally less
expensive than similar alerting devices from specialty stores
serving the hearing impaired.  But some tinkering may be involved.

If you need addresses of other sources (mail order) for ready-made
assistive devices, let me know and I'll netmail some addresses to
you.  But beware of ripoff prices, and don't buy anything unless
you have return privileges if you find it unsuitable.

Jack.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org