1. A computer-based method of teleconferencing between at least two participants, where at least one of the participants is deaf or hearing-impaired, the method comprising the steps of: transcribing, using an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system, speech of one of the participants, to produce transcribed text; translating transcribed text into a chat transmission format using a first chat service system, said translation resulting in a first chat format tex translating said first chat format text to a second chat format text; and receiving said second chat format text at a second chat service system, said second chat service system being used by a deaf or hearing-impaired participant; whereby the deaf or hearing-impaired participant may read the transcribed text of the speech of other participants.