VRI vs VRS
For deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), Video Relay Services (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) both provide valuable resources to remove obstacles when communicating with the hearing world.
Video Relay Services is a form of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) which:
1. gives deaf individuals access to the telephone system
2. allows those with hearing disabilities to use sign language instead of a text telephone (TTY) to call a hearing person over normal telephone lines
3. requires the use of a broadband Internet connection plus a web cam or video conferencing equipment to access a Communications Assistant (CA) in a call center
4. CA relays voice to the deaf individual using sign language
5. also permits a hearing person to initiate a call to the deaf individual
The FCC covers the costs of all VRS calls through the Interstate TRS Fund. Calls are free, and the VRS service provider almost always picks up any long distance charges.
The FCC mandates that VRS is only to be used in a situation where the deaf individual would have made a regular voice call through the telephone system were it not for the disability. VRS may not be used as a replacement for a live interpreter.
VRI serves a different need. With VRI, both the deaf and hearing persons are situated in the same place, such as a hospital, school, college classroom, courtroom, police station, prison, or any other location where an in-person sign language interpreter is not available.
Fees for VRI are paid for by the party requesting them. Depending on the need, a sign language interpreter may be necessary as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), especially in hospital and courthouse situations.
VRI is not limited by geography. You can take advantage of VRI from any place in the world with a webcam and high speed Internet connection. VRI has shot up in popularity in emergency situations or for short assignments.
Live sign language interpreters usually:
* must be booked 24 hours in advance to avoid higher charges
* demand a 2 hour minimum, regardless of the length of interpreting time
* charge the minimum fee if the assignment is not canceled 24 hours in advance
*charge the minimum if the deaf client is absent
VRI is designed to:
1. substitute for live interpreters when not available
2. cut the cost to private medical offices and schools who are required to provide sign language interpreters but who are not reimbursed by the TRS Fund
3. make sign language available in secure environments such as prisions, interrogation rooms, and hazardous medical environments
4. be available by appointment or on demand
5. no additional charges for last minute booking or cancellations
6. get rid of live interpreter charges for travel and parking
FCC concerns over illegal use of VRS instead of VRI continue. While VRS providers have systems in place to detect improper calls, no system is infallible.
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Charles Lamm is a retired attorney serving as Legal/Technical Consultant for Accessible Communication for the Deaf. For more information on VRI, as well as news of interest to ASL Interpreters, visit ACD VRI.