Sorenson Opening Six Interpreting Centers for Deaf Video Service

Sorenson Communications has announced that it will open new interpreting centers in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia, to expand the capabilities of its video relay service (VRS) for the deaf and hard of hearing. Today's release is available on TMCnet at:

Popularity of Videophones, Video Relay Service for Deaf Prompts Sorenson Communications to Build Six Additional Interpreting Centers

Previously I wrote about VRS services operated by Hands on and CSD in this blog entry:

Video Relay Services for Deaf-Hearing Communication

This is a fascinating class of service made possible by converged communications and is growing rapidly in popularity among the deaf and hard of hearing. VRS services allow deaf users to communicate with hearing users through a sign interpreter via videophone. Here's how Sorenson describes how the service works:

"With Sorenson VRS, a network of qualified ASL interpreters receive videophone calls from deaf or hard-of-hearing people and interpret conversations for them with hearing people. Dialogue flows spontaneously back and forth with the deaf or hard-of-hearing person signing ASL to the interpreter who speaks to the hearing individual over an ordinary telephone line."

This illustration from Sorenson is also useful in understanding the service:

Sorenson says they are opening the new contact centers to meet increasing demand for their VRS services. The six new centers were set up in key areas where qualified ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters are readily available.

AB -- 5/23/05