Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Resources
Video remote interpreting has become rather commonplace in recent years. This service allows deaf individuals or those who speak different languages to access qualified interpreters via the internet. This makes getting an interpreter for languages or ASL very simple and in some cases you can gain instant access to these interpreters without ever needing to schedule ahead of time. These VRI services are certainly convenient, but they are not always the best way to communicate in certain situations.
The benefits of these services certainly outweigh the downsides. Many companies find using VRI for short interactions can even save them money depending on the company they are working with. American Sign Language is a visual language and it is important to have smooth video feed for these communications to be successful. With faster internet connections and better webcams on recent computers, the quality of these services have skyrocketed in the past four or five years. If your company is not currently using video remote interpreters to services your deaf and hard of hearing clients or employees, it is certainly worth considering.
With more and more medical offices and regular businesses finding out how easy this new services is to use, many face to face agencies have been trying to segway into this business. However, it is suggested to use a service that specializes in this type of ASL interpretation to assure that you receive a great service and are not part of a small companies transition into the space. There is a lot of technology on the back end that can make this service great or absolutely unusable. The companies that focus on providing these services usually have a better software solution and utilize better video stream compression agents. If you are not sure, just ask the company you are thinking about working with for a test run to make sure that their service is up to par with your expectations for the deaf individual that you will be providing services for.
VRI Sign Language Resource Links
Sign Language Video Remote Interpreting Blog — This VRI solutions based blog brings up more interesting concepts about video remote interpreting in the ASL world. Find out how new technologies are making VRI better than ever before and find information on how to evaluate a video remote interpreting provider, before you choose to work with them here.
American Sign Language VRI Agency - There are many different video remote interpreting company’s across the country. Some only provide local services, while others offer a nationwide video remote interpreting service. This ASL VRI agency offers the best of both worlds. They offer a premium service nationwide while keeping the interpreter pool local, licensed and highly qualified.
ADA Requirements For VRI - This is what the Americans with Disabilities Act has to say about effective communication and how video remote interpreting (VRI) works within the laws constraints to offer a proper mode of communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
NAD VRI Minimum Standards - The National Association for the Deaf is a advocacy and regulatory group that helps create standards for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their rights on a national level. This resource link will take you to their minimum standards video remote interpreting services.
Video Remote Interpreting Blog - This website has a variety of blog posts further discussing the usage and implementation of video remote interpreting as well as some insight into how it is starting to become more favored in the deaf community.
Video Resources About VRI For ASL Services
Comments & Additional Resources Welcome
This page will get periodic updates with new information as it happens. If you are deaf individual and have input on this topic, please comment below we would love to hear from you. If your company has used VRI services and you have praise or horror stories, we would love to hear from you as well. Last, but not least, if you would like us to share your resources on this video remote interpreting resource page, please just comment below or reach out to the author.
