Goldsmiths - University of London

Video Messaging for Deaf People on the BBC

This week on See Hear we review 'Winkball', an internet networking site designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing users developed with Goldsmiths, University of London. The arrival of computers and the internet has improved communication for everyone, especially the deaf community, but is it an easy website to use? The pupils of Braidwood School, Birmingham put it to the test.

The WinkBall Project is the future of video communication. Through a quintessentially British combination of academic and commercial inventiveness, we have developed a series of exciting new tools for online communication. WinkBall bridges the emotional gap found in current online communication channels - by bringing people closer together using the emotional power of video.

The WinkBall Project has today established new possibilities for corporate video messaging, personalised video advertising, public campaigning and private video networks. Current services include: WinkBall.com, a free online video messaging and sharing service for the public, WinkBall Base, an internal video communications system, and WinkBall Broadcaster, for video broadcasting, email campaigning and personalised video messaging through WinkBall.com and WinkBall Base.

Established in London in 2005 by Dr. James Ohene-Djan of Goldsmiths College and Duncan Barclay of Correspondent Corp, the WinkBall project team has evolved to become a leading player in driving the future development of online communication. Based in West London, our team of dedicated professionals are drawn manly from Goldsmiths alumni who have studied a variety of subjects including programming, business, e-commerce, media, academia, design, film, journalism and anthropology.

SH Line Producer <http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/seehear/sh_line_producer/> | 14:00 UK time, Tuesday, 19 January 2010