FAQs
Sorenson Video Relay and all other Video Relay Service providers are available at no cost to consumers.
What does Sorenson Communications do? ›
Through a combination of patented technology and people-centric services, Sorenson provides solutions to make communication accessible and welcoming for all. We believe in connecting people across languages—both signed and spoken—and enhancing understanding and clarity with captioning.
What is a Sorenson video phone? ›
Sorenson gives Deaf people a variety of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting options. Our Video Relay Service (VRS) offers American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting for telephone calls between a Deaf person and a hearing person in different locations.
What is the difference between VRI and VRS? ›
You can use VRI when the sign language user and hearing person are together or when they're in different locations communicating remotely. VRS is a telecommunications service that's reserved for phone calls, so when the interaction is face to face, VRI is the best option.
Who owns Sorenson Communications? ›
We are pleased to announce Ariel Alternatives is the new majority owner of Sorenson! This change brings an increase of opportunity and reach for us to continue fulfilling our mission of advancing human connection.
What does sorenson mean? ›
Sorensen, or Sorenson, is a surname of Danish origin. The basic derivation is "son of Søren", the Danish variety of the name Severin.
What is a VRS interpreter? ›
Video Relay Service (VRS) allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities who use American Sign Language to use video equipment to communicate with voice telephone users.
Are video phones free for the Deaf? ›
Video Relay Service (VRS)
VRS uses a webcam and the Internet or a videophone and high-speed Internet access. A Video Interpreter (VI) who is fluent in sign language can see and be seen by the calling party. This is a free, federally reimbursed service and not part of the Relay Service.
What happened to Sorenson Communications? ›
In April 2022 the private investment firm Ariel Alternatives acquired a 52.5% ownership stake in Sorenson Communications which valued Sorenson at $1.3 billion.
How does Sorenson VRS work? ›
An interpreter working for the VRS provider answers the call and checks to see if the Deaf person has any instructions for the call. Then the interpreter connects with the other end of the call. The interpreter communicates with the Deaf person using ASL and with the hearing person using spoken English.
A VRS call flows back and forth just like a telephone conversation between two hearing persons. For example, the parties can interrupt each other, which they cannot do with a TRS call using a TTY (where the parties have to take turns communicating with the CA).
What is a Sorensen hold? ›
The goal is to hold your body in a neutral, parallel position to the floor, facing downward. That means you'll need to contract your core, back, lower back, glutes, hamstrings and calves to keep your body raised without your chest dropping toward the floor.
How to use Sorenson on Zoom? ›
Sorenson for Zoom is an app inside in the Zoom application. You download it from the Zoom Marketplace and invite a Sorenson interpreter to your meeting directly from your Zoom window. To use it, you must host the meeting and use a paid Zoom license to create the meeting.
Who funds video remote interpreting? ›
VRS (Video Relay Service) is a government-funded program for interpreted calls between Deaf and hearing individuals in different locations. The FCC manages a fund that covers the costs, so they don't pass on to Deaf users.
Is convo VRS free? ›
Is using Convo VRS with a video conferencing platform free? Like TRS calls, VRS is free to the caller. Convo and other VRS providers are compensated for their costs from the Interstate TRS Fund, which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees.
Does a Deaf person have to pay to set up for the videophone? ›
VRS is a no-cost, subscriber-based service for Deaf people with a qualifying hearing loss who use ASL and have videophones, smart phones, tablets, or computers that are set up for video communication.
Is Wavello free? ›
Wavello is a Video Relay call supported with video. Everyone on the call—the Deaf person, the hearing person, and the interpreter—can see by each other. Just like Video Relay, there is no cost to use Wavello.