iCommunicator Aids Communication for Perrigo Employee with Hearing Impairment

Busy Perrigo Company graphic artists can't afford misunderstanding when it comes to customer specifications. Smooth communications is essential but sometimes proves a challenge for senior designer George Czirr who has profound hearing loss. Perrigo's solution: iCommunicator—a highly sophisticated communications system that translates the spoken word to text and sign language and allows synthesized speech output as well.

George Czirr is a senior designer in the bustling graphic arts department of Perrigo Company, a Michigan-based pharmaceuticals and nutritional products manufacturer. He and his department teammates are responsible for turning out a huge volume of individual packaging components each year. Communications in this highly-charged atmosphere is critically important.

For Czirr, who has profound hearing loss, smooth communications can sometimes be a challenge. But it's just one of the many challenges Czirr—a Perrigo veteran with 21 years of experience—is equal to. "George is very good at his job and a highly valued employee," says graphic arts manager, Diane Barton.

Up until November 2001, coworkers and supervisors communicated with Czirr either by over-articulating (mouthing the words in an overly-exaggerated fashion) or by writing notes. While generally effective, this means of communication occasionally proved inadequate and inefficient. Sometimes during staff meetings and training sessions, Czirr was left out of conversations because he had to strain to follow the conversations and did not have access to all of the information at the same time as his coworkers.

Recognizing the opportunity to improve department communications, Czirr's manager, graphic consultant Mary Hildebrand, took the initiative. With enthusiastic agreement from Czirr, and in partnership with the Perrigo human resources department, Hildebrand launched a wide-ranging search of assistive technology options. The goal was to find a technology that would allow Czirr and his coworkers to have equal access to verbal communication in the workplace.

Perrigo Selects Leading Edge Technology

After studying several options, iCommunicator, a leading edge communications access technology developed by Interactive Solutions, Inc. was chosen. The system provides multisensory solutions for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and other persons who experience unique communication challenges. The iCommunicator efficiently converts in real-time: speech to text, speech to video sign language, speech to computer-generated voice, and text to computer-generated voice or video sign language.

The iCommunicator is a fully integrated system that consists of a high-end laptop computer, iCommunicator software, a wireless microphone system and peripherals, and underlying software programs. It runs on Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows 98SE. The iCommunicator also may be coupled with peripheral assistive hearing devices such as personal FM systems, hearing aids, and cochlear implant speech processors. It's also portable and useful in multiple environments—educational, workplace, and public venues.

With iCommunicator in his toolbox, Czirr is now much more fully involved in department meetings receiving immediate text translations of the speaker's voice. The iCommunicator improves his ability to receive direction from the graphic consultants who deal directly with customers and communicate their design specifications back to the designers and artists in the Art Department.

The iCommunicator is no "quick fix" says Barton. "It takes a lot of time to build an accurate voice profile. I'm still working on mine." On the other hand, Czirr's counterpart senior designer Krystal Dutkiewicz has created a voice profile that is accurate nearly 90 percent of the time. "It is work to train the system says Barton, but good communication is work—and it's worth the time and effort."

Supporting a Diverse Workforce

Barton and Hildebrand's positive attitude toward a diverse workforce in which not everyone has the same abilities is indicative of a pervasive attitude at Perrigo. The company places a high value on individual contributions and on teamwork. "People understand their individual importance as a member of an effective team that develops and services a product," says Barton. "And they understand how quality and customer service fit into the picture. Employees here are very motivated, very hard-working and have excellent attitudes. This is key to our success."

Providing Accessible Technology Makes Good Business Sense

Another key to their success is treating all employees evenly and fairly. For example, human resource manager Mike DeDoes says, "George is a valued company employee and we very much wanted to accommodate him. We would give the same consideration to any employee who needs accommodation—it makes good business sense." Adds Barton, "Honestly, for a large company, this is a very employee-oriented place to work. Employees are conscious of the attitude their company has toward them and toward customers. People can feel the attitude and it's what makes them appreciate their company, work hard to succeed, and want to stay."