The flashing doorbell is an assistive technology primarily for individuals with hearing disabilities. It acts similarly to the more common doorbell but also flashes a bright light and emits sound to alert the user. This multi-sensory feature enhances accessibility for those with varying needs. The flashing doorbell is a cost-effective way to make classrooms, homes, workplaces, and other spaces more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that everyone can receive alerts without relying on auditory cues.
Accessibility Features:
- Flashing Light Receivers: Flashing light receivers communicate the same information other users may receive through sound. Receivers can be placed throughout the space, allowing alerts to be received throughout a home, dorm, or other internal spaces. From the social model perspective, these features reduce the societal exclusion of people with hearing disabilities by creating a simple but effective way to communicate the presence of others without sound. The flashing light receiver is coupled with other assistive devices such as the flashing fire alarm. The flashing light is a key feature in making the doorbell accessible, allowing information to be communicated visually. In certain versions of the doorbell, the flashing light can be customized to the user’s preference, from changing colors to strobing lights, improving its utility for the everyday user.
- Vibration: The vibration feature is an optional addition to the flashing doorbell. While not always included, it communicates sounds with those who require tactile feedback. The multi-sensory alert system addresses the social model perspective. By overcoming the “assumed” needs of individuals, the vibration feature expands the technology’s assistance to those who have both visual and auditory impairments. The vibration feature makes the doorbell more compatible with users of differing needs.
While the flashing doorbell appears in different versions, the basic and most affordable version is a simple doorbell with flashing light receivers. However, this structure of the doorbell comes with its limitations:
Limitations:
- Limited Use in Bright Environments: The flashing lights are not as effective in bright spaces, especially against natural sunlight. The light signal can be difficult for the eye to capture. Those with visual impairments may miss the visual cue, affecting the doorbell’s utility.
- Lack of customization: The ability to customize lights and sounds from the flashing doorbell is a most costly addition to the device. The inability to customize the doorbell fails to address individuals with sensitivities to light and vibration. The option to purchase a more advanced doorbell falls under the functional model, as the feature overcomes usability barriers but for a cost.
The flashing doorbell is an incredibly valuable assistive technology, created to address the barriers that many with hearing impairments face with audio cues. Using flashing light receivers and vibration features, the doorbell can alert users to the presence of visitors that addresses numerous sensory needs. More advanced doorbells address the intersectionality of individuals with disabilities, aiming to alert users through a multi-sensory system. However, the flashing light doorbell still operates with certain limitations. Those with financial constraints may only be able to afford the basic version of the doorbell, with a lack of multi-sensory alerts and customization.