News for ASL Interpreters

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) utilizes technology to provide qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to any location in the world with a webcam and broadband Internet connection.

While not ideal in all situations, VRI can fill the gap in medical emergencies, accommodate special security situations as in a prison, or allow communication until a live interpreter can arrive.  In person ASL interpreters are the preferred choice but may not be available at your location or when you need them.

VRI brings your deaf employees fully into your business.  Other situations where the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) might require interpreting include doctor visits, business meetings, conferences, staff training sessions, driving tests, and court appearances.

Most live ASL interpreters charge a two-hour minimum.  Some add for travel and parking, depending on the circumstances.  VRI reduces the cost for short assignments.

For any assignment under 30 minutes, VRI is the economical choice, even at the average charge of $3 per minute.  You pay only for what you get – no minimums or extra expenses.

VRI allows you to schedule a specialty interpreter such as:

* legal – courtroom, hearings, arraignments, intakes, police, intake, release from jail, attorney-client

* government – social services at the state, local, or federal level

* medical – doctor appointments, hospital emergencies, counseling, mental health, hospital discharge instructions

* business – deaf employees get the full benefit of training, staff meetings, and safety drills

* education – K-12, college, university

VRI is used when a hearing person and a deaf or hard-of-hearing person who knows ASL are in the same location.  The interpreter is located elsewhere in a video call center.

In an educational setting such as a college lecture hall, the professor may have to use a wireless mic to broadcast to the student’s computer, which transmits the audio to the ASL interpreter who signs back to the student’s laptop.  Once the specific needs are know, technology can usually provide a VRI option.

Students can follow the teacher with little more than a netbook and wireless Internet.

A VRI session can be iniated through traditional video conferencing equipment such as Polycom, Tandberg, or LifeSize, a videophone, or by using a webcam over the Internet.  For hospital assignments requiring Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (called HIPAA or HIPPA) compliance, secure encryption over video conferencing equipment would be ideal.

Choices for VRI include:

* traditional videoconferencing equipment such as Polycom, Tandberg, Sony

* webcam and a broadband Internet connection using videoconferencing software or free online video services such as SightSpeed

* videophone with a broadband Internet connection

The ADA may put your business or practice in a position where hiring a sign language interpreter is a must, not an option.  Many a doctor has been sued for trying to rely on scribbled notes instead of a qualified medical interpreter.

Like other unfunded mandates, the federal government may require a terp, but does not pay for it.  VRI may allow you to reduce your costs for your deaf patients or clients and remain ADA compliant.

Bandwidth remains the most critical issue, especially uploading.  You will want to run a speedtest on your Internet connection and make sure you have 384K upload speed minimum.  768K+ would be even better, especially at 30 frames per second to deliver a smooth sign language video experience.

If your business, practice, or government agency has deaf clients who could benefit from VRI, my suggestion would be to contact Accessible Communication for the Deaf at 954.431.6505 or visit their website at www.acdvri.com to find out system requirements, test your connection, and to set up an appointment.

Charles Lamm is a retired attorney now serving as Legal/Technical Consultant for Accessible Communication for the Deaf in South Florida.