Deaf, Blind and speech-impaired patients to "hear,see and speak," for the first time, over LifeLinks' bedside patient information system,thereby regaining significant independence,--and the system is free to hospitals that participate in the LifeLinks system.

October 24,2003,Hackensack,N.J. For the first time, disabled,hospitalized patients will no longer be at the mercy of a healthcare system which, while well-intentioned, lacks the ability to provide deaf, blind and speech-impaired persons with the tools to receive adequate information on which to make an informed decision on a par with non-impaired patients. LifeLinks' revolutionary bedside technology will enable patient's to access a refreshable Braille keyboard display,text magnifying and voice recognition software, and a speech synthesizer, thereby empowering them to regain significant independence.

LifeLinks @Home in the Hospital, a little company with enormous technology, discipline and concern for the disabled, is making its indelible mark on the healthcare industry for the betterment of the disabled by enhancing their independence.

Thanks to its bedside patient information and entertainment system, which provides a 15 inch touch screen monitor and a computer attached to the over-the-bed food table, just inches from the patient, the deaf,blind and mute(e.g.from stroke or cervical injuries)can access the most sophisticated technology available.e.g. (1) a refreshable Braille display which enables a deaf patient to read scanned consent forms, discharge instructions as well as to translate computer text from a word processor to Braille output so that they can "read" a book with their fingers and respond with their minds via their fingers,(2) the "speaking screen" which vocally reads the words on the monitor through speak synthesis,(3) voice recognition for individuals lacking dexterity,e.g. severe osteoarthritis,or otherwise deficient hand function,so that as they speak, their words appear on the monitor, (4) a screen enlarger capable of increasing font to 7 times normal size, (5) surrogate input devices for those who have only the use of their mouth,e.g, those with high spinal cord injuries.(6) voice annotation,enabling highlighting and bookmarking of on-screen text,using one's voice,etc.

No other company offers this service to the hospitalized disabled patient because of LifeLinks' unique technology, which places the monitor and computer close to the patient.Because LifeLinks system is modular,it can be readily updated as new technology arrives, which is practically, daily.The LifeLinks system is also capable of being upgraded to provide medication verification and provider/patient authentication, thereby reducing medical errors.This data would run on a parallel but separate network, and use the same equipment,thus providing significant cost savings to the hospital over systems offered by Cardinal Health,McKesson,Siemens and Philips.

Aging baby boomers stand to benefit when their hearing fails,because they may not be trained in sign language.DCARA will provide real-time on-screen transcription of hospital health care provider's conversations and instructions for patients who are hard of hearing.The conversation between patient and health care provider can be monitored by the remote transcriptionist through the LifeLinks in-monitor telephone. The physician's/nurses words appear immediately on the monitor screen.No sign language interpreter is necessary.

LifeLInks is working with DCARA,(The Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency) based in San Jose, California, an agency Of, By and For" deaf, deaf-blind, deafened, and hard of hearing people." DCARA's mission is to enable deaf people to live independent, productive lives, with full access to the rights,privileges, entitlement services, and opportunities available to those who can hear.DCARA will also provide real-time on-screen captioning, simultaneously, on the same screen on which the sign language interpreter will be viewed by the patient who knows sign language.LifeLinks intends to be the leader and technologic innovator in bringing the benefits of technology to the disabled.

Hill-Rom Inc., the largest hospital furniture manufacturer on the planet, is the manufacturer of the over-the-bed food table which LifeLinks(www.LifeLinks.net) modifies for the disabled patient. LifeLinks is capable of manufacturing one thousand bedside units per month.

"Technology to Promote Independence of the Disabled."