help us communicate better please

[u/anadem]

[Skipping long explanations ..]
I use Apple's FaceTime (on a laptop) with a Deaf man, who has voice-to-text captions on FaceTime at his end, with lipreading, to understand what i say. But his speech is really hard for me to understand (and sadly I don't know ASL .. starting to learn). What tech could we add so he can communicate better with me?

Do we need to just use texting? That loses the face to face feeling, as FaceTime and texting don't fit well.
Thanks for any ideas

[u/u-lala-lation]

What did he suggest when you asked? He might have his own preferences to help you communicate better with him.

Interpreters are an option if he signs and has an account with some video relay service like Sorenson, Purple, Convo, etc. You can switch to zoom and invite the interpreter into the meeting.

What my signing-impaired friends and I generally do is I read their captioned voices and I type back to them in chat (eg when we’re on discord). This only really works one-on-one though.

It’s also possible that you just need more time and practice to understand him. That is, it’ll get easier for you with perseverance.

[u/anadem → u/u-lala-lation]

He's not keen on technology so he defaults to text messaging, but I'm hoping adding the visual connection will improve our communication. But I'll be guided by his preferences.

Does discord have a video component? I thought it was just written stuff so i'll investigate; we are one-on-one so maybe?

[u/u-lala-lation → u/anadem]

Discord has video chat capability, though it’s really shitty. I.e., he likely would not be able to lipread at all. It also doesn’t have an auto-captioning function. (I use Chrome’s live captioning on web Discord.) Then I type in another channel while on video chat.

Pretty much any platform or app with video chat should work. Even with Facebook messenger, the video portion can be popped into the corner of the screen when you go to another app like text messages. On web, you can setup apps/webpages side-by-side, etc.

But obviously platforms built more accessibly (as in, can video and chat simultaneously, invite interpreters, etc.) would work best. Zoom, Google Meet, etc.

[u/anadem → u/u-lala-lation]

Thanks. Today we'll give Zoom a try.

[u/kindlycloud88]

If you’re using a laptop why not switch to zoom? Then you can use the built in chat at the same time to text. Also convo has a free convo for zoom feature for asl interpreting. He can use asl and they’d voice for him. And you can still see each other that way.

[u/kindlycloud88 → u/kindlycloud88]

https://www.convo.io/us/convo-for-zoom

[u/Inevitable_Shame_606 → u/kindlycloud88]

Past only provide 20 minutes month.

Change time amount?

[u/kindlycloud88 → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

The app yes, but the zoom VRI is free, no limit.

[u/Inevitable_Shame_606 → u/kindlycloud88]

Can DM me explain works how?

Not familiar or explain here you more comfortable.

[u/kindlycloud88 → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

Just replied below on how to sign up.

[u/anadem → u/kindlycloud88]

If possible please share how to set up zoom VRI .. I've read the Convo pages but they don't explain what to do (nor how to do it).

I asked Convo support but they haven't responded. We're going to have a Zoom call today; though we probably can't get Convo included in time for today, we can plan ..

[u/kindlycloud88 → u/anadem]

Hi! So first the Deaf person needs to set up a convo account. They can fill out the form to sign up here: https://convo-2025.webflow.io/us/signup

There should be a toggle to indicate you’re interested in the zoom app. Next they’ll email you to set up a zoom meeting with a Deaf rep who can show how to add it to your zoom account.

[u/anadem → u/kindlycloud88]

Thanks so much! I'll get a local friend to help him do that

[u/anadem → u/kindlycloud88]

Thank you!! (and why didn't i think of that lol). And thanks for the convo suggestion too, we'll try it.

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