Ultratec
Ultratec, founded in 1978 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, specializes in text telecommunications technology for the deaf and hard of hearing, offering products like CapTel Captioned Telephones and various TTY technologies.
History
Ultratec was founded in 1978 with a mission to create text telecommunications technology for individuals with hearing loss. Since its inception, the company has pioneered advancements in communication solutions, aimed at enhancing the day-to-day lives of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Over the years, Ultratec has introduced several innovations, including the development of Enhanced Turbo Code (E-Turbo) and Turbo Code to improve the speed and ease of TTY communication.
Services
Ultratec offers a range of services designed to support their telecommunications products and their users. The company operates a national service center in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to product repairs and customer support. Their facilities are designed to be completely barrier-free, ensuring that all users have full access to the support and services they need.
Product Offerings
Ultratec specializes in products tailored for individuals with hearing loss. Their flagship product, CapTel Captioned Telephones, displays word-for-word captions of everything a caller says during a phone conversation. Additionally, the company provides a broad range of text telephones (TTYs) and related accessories to meet various communication needs. Notably, Ultratec introduced the first internet protocol (IP) based CapTel service, enabling captioned telephone services using the internet.
Technological Innovations
Ultratec has been at the forefront of developing technologies to aid communication for people with hearing loss. Among their contributions are the Enhanced Turbo Code (E-Turbo) and Turbo Code, which have significantly improved the speed and ease of TTY communication. They have also introduced IP-based CapTel services, which allow for captioned telephone communication via the internet, marking a significant advancement in accessibility and convenience.
Awards and Recognition
Ultratec has been recognized for its commitment to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The company received the Robert R. Davila Angel Award from the Association for Late Deafened Adults (ALDA). This award highlights Ultratec’s long-standing support and service, acknowledging the company’s efforts to improve communication access for individuals with hearing loss.