Using Mediated Communication to Teach Vocational Concepts to Deaf Users

摘要

This paper presents an in-depth study on how a small group of deaf users reacted while learning abstract vocational concepts in the domain of librarianship, using mediated interaction supported by WNH, a Web Navigation Helper. WNH's purpose is to allow helpers to create mediation dialogs to enable or facilitate helpees' online interaction with Web pages. In our study, deaf employees at a Brazilian library were taught a lesson especially designed for WNH by a deaf librarian who is fluent in Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) and Portuguese. Among the results we were able to see the huge gaps between what a library is for our deaf participants and what it is for non-deaf library professionals and customers. We could also appreciate the role of technologies like WNH in preparing deaf users to interact with Web systems in professional settings.