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Videophone for the
Deaf
A videophone for the deaf enhances life for the deaf and hearing-impaired community
May 26, 2006
By: Alice Osborn
Through videophone technology and a high-speed Internet
connection, a deaf person can sign via a videophone to
communicate with a hearing person at another location. Two
companies make this VRS (Video Relay Service) technology
possible:
Sorenson Communications, through the VP-100 videophone,
and
Lifelinks, via
SightSpeed software. VRS is a free, 24/7 service for the
deaf and hearing-impaired community that is facilitated by a
certified ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter at a VRS
call center.
Both Sorenson and Lifelinks create a videophone for the
deaf that is leaps and bounds ahead of traditional TDD
(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) services because
now an interpreter can actually see a hearing impaired
person sign, rather than use a TDD teletype device as the
go-between on a regular phone call. This is like the
difference between text chatting and video conferencing. By
seeing the deaf person use ASL with its pauses and
inflections, the interpreter can produce a sharper message
for the hearing person, thus lessening the chance for
miscommunication. The communication between the parties is
also a lot faster through VRS when compared to TDD and tries
to approximate the talk time between two hearing
individuals.
Providing cutting-edge videophone technology for the
hearing impaired
VRS is free for the hearing impaired through the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures that
the deaf and hearing-impaired community are able to "engage
in [telephone] communication…in a manner that is
functionally equivalent to the ability of" traditional
telephony. VRS is an important service to the community it
serves because it is a fast and reliable form of
communication that links the deaf to the hearing world.
Sorenson Communications and the VP-100 videophone
The Sorenson videophone, the VP-100, produces
high-quality video that eliminates grainy images, thus
facilitating communication between deaf and hearing
individuals over a broadband Internet connection. The
videophone also features a speed dial button, a missed call
list, and scalability to adapt to new Sorenson features.
Since a camera is included in the videophone, a webcam is
only required if the user is using the VRS services with
Sorenson EnVision software or Microsoft NetMeeting.
As the deaf person signs to the interpreter on the TV or
webcam, the interpreter then contacts the hearing partner
through a standard phone line and relays the conversation
back and forth. If a hearing person wants to call up a deaf
user, then he or she calls a toll-free number to place a VRS
call using a standard telephone, while the deaf person only
has to push a button on the videophone or with software,
punch the name from the contact list. To maximize the time
on the call, the deaf person should have the name and
telephone number of their intended party handy, so that the
VRS operator can immediately contact the hearing person's
phone line.
Sorenson makes all of these VRS technologies free for
their customers, including the videophone and the software.
However, customers still need to have a broadband Internet
connection and either a TV or webcam available. The
videophone may take a few weeks to arrive after the
application process is completed.
Lifelinks and its software
Lifelinks is another free, 24/7 available VRS that uses
SightSpeed software, enabling a deaf person to visually
communicate with a hearing person over his or her computer
screen and webcam over a broadband service once that person
has downloaded the software. SightSpeed also includes a
video-mail inbox, an easy way to set up the e-mail address
list and the technology to optimize the fps (frame per
second) rate. Other features of the Lifelinks VRS include
the capability to conduct a four-person conference call,
wireless access and Lifelinks interpreters that are able to
sign in Spanish.
To provide these free VRS services to the deaf community,
both Sorenson Communications and Lifelinks are paid
approximately $7/minute by the FCC from a surcharge that is
levied on landline phone bills and administrated by the NECA
(National Exchange Carried Association). This fee is about
$6 more than TDD services, but VRS providers do facilitate
clearer and faster communication when compared to TDD.
VRS is the next generation relay service
VRS bridges the gap between the hearing and deaf
communities and it does so through accessible technology.
These videophones keep friends and family connected. They
prevent deaf people from feeling that their voice won't be
heard since their pauses and inferences are translated into
English by the VRS interpreter. As VRS becomes more
prevalent, advocates for the deaf community must ensure that
VRS is made available 24/7 and that further research and
development is conducted to address any problems and to find
new solutions. These advocates, like CSD (Communication
Service for the Deaf), must also ensure that there are
highly trained interpreters at the relay call centers and
that this community is not paying more for these services
than the hearing community is.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Conferencing-Guide.com. Your definitive guide to everything you need to know about video driven communications, including multi-view video conferencing solutions for business, broadband video phones and personal webcam chat rooms.
Also See: [
A discussion of
Flash-based video conferencing solutions and tools ]
[ Sony video
conferencing systems and video conferencing equipment ]
[ 3G mobile phones --
an overview of video cell phones on 3G networks ]
Home Page:
[ Video-Conferencing-Guide.com ]
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