This study was implemented to understand the utilizing status of assistive technology for electronic & information access and communication among persons' with hearing impairments. The current study includes problems reported by subjects when they use the assistive tech. Originally this study was supported by Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion in Dec. 2006. The data was drawn from the original one and reanalyzed for the current study. First of all, almost 60 to 70% of users of assistive technology for electronic and information access and communication are regular users of computer, internet and cellular phone. However, the numbers are much lower than those of other people with disabilities. The subjects have needs of improvements in terms of the quality of product as well as government policies of assistive tech. Additionally this study figures out chief causes of satisfaction and dissatisfaction on each product in order to suggest improvement plans. Finally, through the suggested improvement plans, some ideas were discussed for policies and industrial markets on assistive tech for people with hearing impairments.
Key words : assistive technology, hearing impairments, electronic & information access and communication