I dream, for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired communicators, of a world where teletype machines and cell phone texting and Yahoo Instant Messenger could reign. These means of communication are just as effective for those who can use a telephone, but they’re inclusive. What do they call this in architecture? Universal design, which definitely should extend to communication and civilization. I’m referring to the difference between help and respect (please see my post Bare Naked Help in the ‘Spinning My Wheels’ category), where the practical need is met–the teletype machine to accommodate for deaf people–but the emptiness of disrespect lingers on, because it can only function with a TTY on the other end. There’s no reason someone should have to call the Michigan Relay Service and have their conversation mediated by a stranger, or have the pace of their discourse  so hampered and delayed by a third party. All human beings deserve the dignity of independence.