Video Remote Interpreting
Encyclopedia
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) uses video or web cameras
and telephone lines to provide sign language
interpreting services, for deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired individuals, through an offsite interpreter, in order to communicate with hearing persons. It is similar to a slightly different service, Video Relay Service
, where the hearing and signing parties are each located in different places.
or web camera
, and a television
or computer screen. The interpreter works from another location—either an office, home-based studio or call center—also using a videophone or web camera and television or computer screen. The equipment must provide video and audio connectivity, or a separate telephone line can be used for audio. The video interpreter facilitates communication between the deaf and hearing participants who are located together at the other site. The interpreter hears the voices of the hearing people through the microphone or telephone, and renders the message into sign language into the camera which the deaf person views on their screen. In turn, when the deaf participants sign to the camera, the interpreter views it from their screen, and speaks the aural interpretation into a microphone or telephone for the hearing people.
VRI is a growing field. One popular application is in the hospital emergency room. In this setting, it is essential that deaf patients and caregivers communicate readily with medical personnel, but it may take time for a live interpreter to arrive onsite. Hospitals with VRI capability can connect with a remote interpreter quickly and conduct triage and intake surveys with the deaf patient or caregiver without significant delay. Also, employees who work in office settings are increasingly converting to VRI services to accommodate brief interactions or regular meetings which would be difficult to schedule with an onsite interpreter. Schools and business located in areas not adequately served by existing community interpreters can also benefit from increased access to professional interpreters and save the expense of vendor travel reimbursements.
Using VRI for medical, legal and mental health settings is controversial in the deaf community, which may feel it does not provide appropriate communication access—particularly in medical settings where the patient's ability to watch the screen or sign clearly to the camera may be compromised. However, businesses and organizations have contended that it meets or exceeds the minimum threshold for reasonable accommodation.
Video Remote Interpreting is distinct from Video Relay Service (VRS) in that it is intended for users who are in the same location. According to U.S.
FCC
regulations, deaf and hearing people in the same room are not permitted to use VRS to communicate, because the service is designated only for telephone calls, and receives funding from Telecommunications Relay Service
taxes. The FCC requires that if a VRS interpreter determines callers are in the same location, they must advise both parties that the interpreter must terminate the call. Video Remote Interpreting however, can either be provided for persons in the same location, or different locations, as long as the parties can see or hear the interpreter respectively, and vice versa.
In the past, the term Video Relay Service had been used interchangeable with Video Relay Interpreting, but currently the terms refer to two separate and distinct services. However, a Video Interpreter (V.I.) may refer to the practitioner working in either setting.
Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
and telephone lines to provide sign language
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
interpreting services, for deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired individuals, through an offsite interpreter, in order to communicate with hearing persons. It is similar to a slightly different service, Video Relay Service
Video Relay Service
A Video Relay Service , also sometimes known as a Video Interpreting Service, is a videotelecommunication service that allows deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired individuals to communicate over video telephones and similar technologies with hearing people in real-time, via a sign language...
, where the hearing and signing parties are each located in different places.
Method of use
In a typical VRI situation, the deaf and hearing parties are located together at one location with a videophoneVideophone
A videophone is a telephone with a video screen, and is capable of full duplex video and audio transmissions for communication between people in real-time...
or web camera
Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
, and a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
or computer screen. The interpreter works from another location—either an office, home-based studio or call center—also using a videophone or web camera and television or computer screen. The equipment must provide video and audio connectivity, or a separate telephone line can be used for audio. The video interpreter facilitates communication between the deaf and hearing participants who are located together at the other site. The interpreter hears the voices of the hearing people through the microphone or telephone, and renders the message into sign language into the camera which the deaf person views on their screen. In turn, when the deaf participants sign to the camera, the interpreter views it from their screen, and speaks the aural interpretation into a microphone or telephone for the hearing people.
VRI is a growing field. One popular application is in the hospital emergency room. In this setting, it is essential that deaf patients and caregivers communicate readily with medical personnel, but it may take time for a live interpreter to arrive onsite. Hospitals with VRI capability can connect with a remote interpreter quickly and conduct triage and intake surveys with the deaf patient or caregiver without significant delay. Also, employees who work in office settings are increasingly converting to VRI services to accommodate brief interactions or regular meetings which would be difficult to schedule with an onsite interpreter. Schools and business located in areas not adequately served by existing community interpreters can also benefit from increased access to professional interpreters and save the expense of vendor travel reimbursements.
Using VRI for medical, legal and mental health settings is controversial in the deaf community, which may feel it does not provide appropriate communication access—particularly in medical settings where the patient's ability to watch the screen or sign clearly to the camera may be compromised. However, businesses and organizations have contended that it meets or exceeds the minimum threshold for reasonable accommodation.
Video Remote Interpreting is distinct from Video Relay Service (VRS) in that it is intended for users who are in the same location. According to U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
regulations, deaf and hearing people in the same room are not permitted to use VRS to communicate, because the service is designated only for telephone calls, and receives funding from Telecommunications Relay Service
Telecommunications Relay Service
Telecommunications Relay Service, also known as TRS, Relay Service, or IP-Relay, or Web-based relay services, is an operator service that allows people who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Speech-Disabled, or DeafBlind to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or assistive device...
taxes. The FCC requires that if a VRS interpreter determines callers are in the same location, they must advise both parties that the interpreter must terminate the call. Video Remote Interpreting however, can either be provided for persons in the same location, or different locations, as long as the parties can see or hear the interpreter respectively, and vice versa.
In the past, the term Video Relay Service had been used interchangeable with Video Relay Interpreting, but currently the terms refer to two separate and distinct services. However, a Video Interpreter (V.I.) may refer to the practitioner working in either setting.
See also
- List of video telecommunication services and product brands
- Telecommunications Relay ServiceTelecommunications Relay ServiceTelecommunications Relay Service, also known as TRS, Relay Service, or IP-Relay, or Web-based relay services, is an operator service that allows people who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Speech-Disabled, or DeafBlind to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or assistive device...
- Video Relay ServiceVideo Relay ServiceA Video Relay Service , also sometimes known as a Video Interpreting Service, is a videotelecommunication service that allows deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired individuals to communicate over video telephones and similar technologies with hearing people in real-time, via a sign language...
, where the hearing party is situated at a different location from the signing person - VideoconferencingVideoconferencingVideoconferencing is the conduct of a videoconference by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously...
- VideophoneVideophoneA videophone is a telephone with a video screen, and is capable of full duplex video and audio transmissions for communication between people in real-time...
- VideotelephonyVideotelephonyVideotelephony comprises the technologies for the reception and transmission of audio-video signals by users at different locations, for communication between people in real-time....
- WebcamWebcamA webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...