Video relay systems
Video Relay Services are used by Deaf people all over
the United States. D/deaf and hard of hearing people who use American
Sign Language can benefit from a Video Phone. The video phone is a
screen where two deaf people who have the video phone set up can connect
and talk directly using American Sign Language. Another advantage to
this technology is that if a D/deaf or hard of hearing person wants to
call a hearing friend or family member they can click on to one of the
many video relay service providers and an interpreter will show up on
their screen. The customer then tells the number they want to call using
ASL and the interpreter calls the hearing person and relays the
conversation between the two. I researched the web and there are several
service providers such as CSDVRS, LLC, and Sorenson. There are many more
in the game.
Talking with my Deaf sister I found out that
this is appreciated more by Deaf/hard of hearing people because they can
use their own language, sign language. She also states that she can use
facial expressions, interrupt at any time and read the interpreter or
friends facial expressions too. It is more comfortable in comparison to
the TTY, the former way to communicate. Looking at
www.csdvrs.com , I found out that
they have many features for D/HH to access communication in their
language.
Video relay services include 1800 number.
This number allows for D/HH consumers to give to their doctors, friends,
or family that are hearing and they can call this 1800 number and
directly connect with the VP in their home. If they are not home they
can use the VP alert services and this will allow them to get a page to
their pager if they have a pager to know when someone is calling them.
Deaf people usually have light signals that allow them to know when
Video call is incoming. What is neat about this is that they have an
answering machine. If the D/HH person is not home, the video relay
operator will leave a message. The D/deaf or HH person may click on this
message and they will see an interpreter signing their message in their
own language American Sign Language.
Another cool thing about the VP system is
that if you are Spanish. There is a Spanish Interpreter available. This
is cool; the Spanish person may call this service and receive their
information through Spanish Sign Language. The interpreter is fluent in
both. I think this type of service is accessible and readily easy
compare to the TTY. The TTY is still used by some older people who are
not tech –savvy. Since English is not always the first language of
Deaf/Hard of Hearing people, this allows them to fully engage in their
conversations as oppose to reading English text all the time.
I also researched that D/deaf and hard of
hearing people that can speak can use a service called Voice Carry over
(VCO). For an example, the deaf person would call csdvrs.tv and that
will hook them up to the interpreter and they will let them know they
want to use VCO. The interpreter will call back their phone, and then
connect the deaf person with the hearing person. The hearing person will
talk and the video relay interpreter will sign what that hearing person
is saying. The deaf person will talk and the hearing person can hear
them.
In conclusion, technology has made it
possible for Deaf/hard of hearing people to communicate in their own
language. Individuals who use this equipment are able to have a
conversation using one of the most important things that is valued in
their culture, their eye sight, their vision. Deaf people are able to
interrupt in comparison to the old TTY where they would have to wait
until the other person is finish. Deaf people are conversing using their
own language, and receiving communication with full body language,
facial expressions and eye contact. Technology has definitely improved
the quality of communication for D/HH individuals.
Works cited:
www.csdvrs.com