Students Work To Break Down Communication Barriers

Under the guidance of Tammy Seymour, teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing at the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation, local students are working to break down communication barriers.

In the Central Square Middle School, Seymour’s students have taken on a project-based learning initiative to make communication easier at drive-thru restaurants.

Sixth graders Jordyn Kisselstein and Jacob Horning developed a PowerPoint presentation that they will deliver to an official representing OrderAssist, which enables drive-thru and restaurant access for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

According to the company’s website, 28 million Americans experience communication difficulties.

However, the OrderAssist system “lets these customers place their orders in an efficient way. This easy-to-install system will let you expand your customer base to accommodate a previously untapped market.”

Through FaceTime communication, Seymour’s students spoke to OrderAssist owner Patrick Hughes and discussed the state-of-the-art technology that is available to those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Their ultimate goal is to have OrderAssist available at local restaurants, and the students are targeting a local McDonald’s for this groundbreaking initiative.

“This is an authentic learning experience for the students,” Seymour said. “They are learning a lot about business communication, they’re using computer software to create presentations and they are learning how to lobby for something they are passionate about.”

Print this entry