The Tatum T1

Supporting DeafBlind individuals with their first independent communication tool that prioritizes their primary language, tactile sign.

Team Leader

Samantha Johnson

Supporting DeafBlind individuals with their first independent communication tool that prioritizes their primary language, tactile sign.

What is the name of your organization?

Tatum Robotics

What is the name of your solution?

The Tatum T1

Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.

Supporting DeafBlind individuals with their first independent communication tool that prioritizes their primary language, tactile sign.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Watertown, MA

In what country is your solution team headquartered?

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What type of organization is your solution team?

For-Profit

Film your elevator pitch.

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What specific problem are you solving?

With limited access to entertainment, community, and educational resources, the DeafBlind population experiences increased incidences of anxiety and depression linked to isolation and loneliness. Additionally, DeafBlind children are up to 23 times less likely to go to school than children without disabilities.

What is your solution?

Tatum Robotics is developing a first-of-its-kind assistive communication device for the DeafBlind community. The robot called the Tatum T1, translates English into tactile ASL output. The Tatum device can be connected to eBooks, emails, news sources, and texting services, making all of these sources accessible to DeafBlind people independently and in their preferred language for the first time. The potential for the device in schools cannot be understatedâit would allow DeafBlind students in grade schools and universities to socialize with non-signing peers without the need for a constant interpreter. A key feature of the Tatum T1 is its customizability. To account for the myriad of language needs within the DeafBlind community, the device can be set to a user's individual preferences. The user interface can be customized depending on whatever best suits a user.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

In the US, 2.4 million severely DeafBlind people use tactile ASL. DeafBlind children are less likely to be in school and are 38% less likely to have ever been enrolled than children with other disabilities. DeafBlind adults are half as likely to earn a bachelor’s degree (14.6% vs. 33.4%) and more than twice as likely to have less than a high school diploma (27.2% vs. 11.2%). Outside the U.S., children with deafblindness can be up to 23 times less likely to be in school. Many U.S. DeafBlind students attend specialized schools like Perkins, but staffing limits 1:1 instruction—the only way students can fully access learning. The Tatum T1 can supplement instruction so students can continue learning while educators support peers. Without braille access, DeafBlind people rely on in-person interpreters, who often require 3+ months’ lead time and cost $75–$100/hour per interpreter (typically two are needed).

Organization Type:
For-Profit

Headquarters:
Watertown, MA, United States

Stage:
Pilot

Working In:
United States

Solution Website:
https://www.tatumrobotics.com

Solution Team:

Samantha Johnson
Founder & CEO

Nicole Rich

The Tatum T1

Supporting DeafBlind individuals with their first independent communication tool that prioritizes their primary language, tactile sign.

The Problem

The Solution

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