VRS is Video Relay Service. It allows a person who uses sign language to place a relay call to a hearing person by communication through a certified sign language interpreter. However, VRS is required to have a web cam or video phone, and use of a high-speed Internet connection (broadband) to place a call. This video phone is stand-alone operation, no computer needed.
I just learned that I might get free video cam to place on TV to use VRS, only if I am Deaf and require having an Internet broadband connection of at least 256K at my home. I applied this video phone called VP-100 through Sorenson web site last fall-winter 2003. I waited this until June of this year, the installer finally contacted me through email about making a schedule for installer come to my house and set up the Sorenson VP-100 in my bedroom.
The installer came, and offered me yet another free D-Link router and switch to install along with Sorenson VP-100. This is my first time, and overwhelming to use this. I called my dad first time through VRS, and I am extremely surprised that video is very smooth, less crisp and rarely lagging. We talked through VRS – I use my ASL and show my facial expression, through VRS. The interpreter can read my video and translate into English to my dad. It is one of biggest advantage for video phone. The length of time on VRS is much faster than using TDD relay service.
My dad said he is really impressed with VRS and VP-100. It’s free. He wondered: Who pays VP-100? I found an answer through Sorenson VRS website:
Who funds VRS?All VRS companies (including Sorenson and Sprint) are funded by a federal fund, administered by NECA National Exchange Carriers Association that funds traditional Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS). These funds are made available by federal law, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires functional equivalency in telecommunications access.
The only downside is the VP-100 does not include the flasher. The flasher acts like phone ringing when the person calls directly to me through video phone. I ordered the telephone flasher through HDS (Hearing & Deaf Services, Inc) in Pittsburgh, PA for 46 dollars. I installed telephone flasher to connect between the un-used lamp and VP-100.
I really enjoyed it as much, and I kept smiling all the time because of the VP-100, router and switch is totally advantage of free to own it. The Sorenson VRS installer warned me, if I did not use VRS much on VP-100, and they might take it away. I must have more than 30 minutes to use VRS each and every month, and the NECA and TRS checks if more people use VRS for sign language interpreter, and they will continue support funding and getting more interpreters. The only negative part is, VRS have limited operation hours: Monday through Friday; 6:30am - 1:00am and Weekends & Holidays; 9:00am – Midnight. What if I need an emergency call through VRS during the time – 8:30am on Saturday, and I can’t able to call VRS, have to wait till 9am? This is one of biggest disadvantage for Sorenson VRS.
Last month, I heard about yet another VRS company, CSD (Communications Services f/t Deaf) and Sprint is offering a free D-Link video phone to Deaf people. Much like Sorenson’s VP-100, Sprint and CSD’s D-Link video phone is i2eye DVC-1000. Remember, i2eye DVC-1000 and VP-100 is the same brand name of the video phone. They are somewhat different interface design.
Left-to-right: Sorenson's VP-100 and DLink's i2eye DVC-1000
Sprint & CSD and Sorenson are somewhat different operation hours for using VRS. As earlier, I said Sorenson have limited operation hours and Sprint & CSD does not. Sprint & CSD have full-time operations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In my opinion, the the best VRS operation service is Sprint & CSD.
I applied Sprint & CSD through Sprint to get free yet another video phone. Few days later, there was very fast for me: the installer coae over my house, because installer knows me very well. The installer replaced Sorenson VP-100 to i2eye DVC-1000. We talked the differences about between Sprint & CSD and Sorenson for VRS: Sorenson’s VRS interpreter is located in Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and Sprint and CSD interpreter is located in headquarters of CSD in Sioux Falls, SD to use VRS.
The installer said I can keep DVC-1000 for good and own it forever and ever.
I have used VP-100 for more than one month, and right now I am starting using DVC-1000 to see how I feel about this.
Well, which one does you think the best for using VRS: Sorenson VP-100 or Sprint & CSD DVC-1000?
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