Voice Over Internet Protocol, also known as VOIP, is the transmission of voice communications using networks such as the internet. There are three main ways a call can be made using VOIP:
- analogue telephone adapters which are connected to the computer and can be used as a standard telephone but require the computer to be switched on
- VOIP phones which connect to the internet connection via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and therefore don’t require the computer to be switched on
- an internet phone which is a piece of software that can be installed on the computer and does not require the use of actual telephone hardware.
Social networking sites are used as platforms for instant messaging and to make video calls. There are two types of social networking sites:
- internal social networking which are used for closed or private communities within an organisation or association
- external social networking sites which are open or available widely to the public community.
Video calling can be achieved by using a video phone, certain video enabled mobile phones or, more commonly, a computer linked to the internet. Video calling allows the streaming of both audio and visual transmission for real time communication between two people in different locations.
Voice Over Internet Protocol programs and social networking sites can both act as a platform for making video calls via a webcam linked to a computer:
Workplace solutions and adjustments
VOIP, social networking sites and video calling can all be utilised in the workplace for:
- file sharing
- real time written conversations with ability to keep a record of these conversations
- face to face communication with colleagues or clients in remote areas
- conference calling
- to see progress of job tasks.
There are also disability specific uses for VOIP, social networking sites and video calling in the workplace. These services can be useful for:
- people who have some degree of hearing loss and find it difficult to understand telephone conversations
- people who use Auslan as their primary language
- people who rely on lip reading to communicate
- people who have difficulty writing on a computer
- people who have difficulty expressing themselves
- people who are unable to access the workplace and need to work remotely.
References
Disability Services 2010, Video Relay Interpreting Service, State Government of Victoria: Department of Human Services, Melbourne, viewed 5 May 2010, http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability/improving_supports/cultural_and_linguistic_diversity/auslan-video-relay-interpreting-service/video-relay-interpreting-vri-service.
Sign Language Communications NSW 2010, Video Remote Interpreting, The Deaf Society of NSW, Sydney, viewed 5 May 2010, http://www.deafsocietynsw.org.au/interpreting/vri.html.
Skype 2010, About Skype, Skype Limited, Luxembourg, viewed 5 May 2010, http://about.skype.com/.
Skype 2010, Features, Skype Limited, Luxembourge, viewed 5 May 2010, http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/video-call/.
University of Queensland 2010, Telerehabilitation Research Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, viewed 5 May 2010, http://www.uq.edu.au/telerehabilitation/about-us.