VRI in NM
12 11 2007All..
Tom Dillion - the picture of the guy you see in this link - is a friend of mine and co-worker in relay service business. The fact that NM is looking to (Video Remote Interpreting) VRI to replace "free-lance" interpreters is significant. Part of the problem is shortage of interpreters have increasingly shifted the Interpreting service to VRI instead of "community interpreting" service.
Oh, there will be instances where live Interpreter is far better than Video Interpreter on a TV or VP. Emergency Rooms are such examples. However, more and more reliance on VRI is in the future.
The one very thing that the FCC is worrying about is abuse of VRS instead of using VRI. Many companies, agencies, and organizations have abandoned using "community interpreting" and come to relay on VRS to do the interpreting when they should be using VRI. To monitor that is at the very best very difficult; the FCC has said that Video Interpreting (VI) cannot be subjective and make decision on whether VRS user is violating rule or not.
As I have said numerous times, VRS is still undergoing growing pains.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
RT Admin
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I know Koko, the director of the interpreter program referenced in the article. I believe they’re going to do great things.
Funny thing is that they’re actually using the Ojo, Snap approved those Ojo’s (that weren’t bought from Snap) to get the interoperability software, but won’t allow other hearing people who have an Ojo and need to call a Deaf person that may or may not have an Ojo or have Deaf friends visit to get the interoperability software.
I have an Ojo I bought from Snap’s website, it included the interoperability software when I unpacked it, then over the weekend it was changed to a non-interoperable Ojo for no reason.
VRI is not so bad and perhaps VRS too can be outsourced to places like India like youre already doing with tty / online relay services. FCC looking for savings, they can find it there.
It’d be nice to see the many faces of the world on my screen.
Richard
Hi Richard,
If they know ASL out there - then maybe, but I doubt very much ASL is as prevalant as it is for English.
Actually, one regular TTY relay service provider did try use a service in India. It did not work out very well - so India no longer provides TTY relay service. To my knowledge, I think (stress think) only Canada provide part of TTY relay service particularly in Internet Relay.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
OK. Time for me to comment. As far as where we go in future… So many times I hear the phrase “This is the wave of the future” or “VRS will replace interpreters” or “VRI will take over freelance” or “all the good interpreters are working Call Centers” No it is not and no they are not.
What we are learning as we go, is that people who are Deaf and hard of hearing have many many options. Wow, that is news, used to be one thing had to work for all. That is no longer the way it is. Yes, there is VRS and the equipment used for VRS, PDAs, hand held video devices and the web are offering an opportunity for the Deaf and hard of hearing community to communicate not only visually with an operator but with one another as well. People who are Deaf and hard of hearing are making their opinions known to the world. Mostly it is signing Deaf openly communicating in their native language. Not slowing down. Not changing their language to accommodate an interpreter’s skill or fluency but “all out” straight to a camera and to whom ever happens to be watching.
VRemote equipment is and has been available in most major hospitals, just about every municipality and in many social service agencies yet individuals tend not to use it. It sits on a desk somewhere. Every now and then people are called in to the room to watch a broadcast or meet remotely but then they “go back to work.” The investment is already made but takes time to retrain humans to work in a different mindset… do we want it to be used for all doctor patient contact? No. A physician should see his or her patient, speak to them about their ailment and history. From then, testing and treatment is usually very simple. I would certainly prefer an instructional video or VRI for simple instructions over having an interpreter drive to a location only to sit and wait for hours just to interpret “OK raise your arms over your head and hold your breath, count to 20…” Do you know when it is time to get your kids tonsils out, the physician sits the parents down in front of a television set and inserts a video to explain the procedure? Why not the same option in ASL?
As a provider of communication services management, our product is the COORDINATION of communication options so that Live sign language interpreters are located where they need to be for effective and essential communication, VRS is used when a telephone call is appropriate, VRI is used whenever possible, POD Casts are used when a set script is needed and all the other emerging technology is considered for best, most effective communication. Just about anything you can imagine is possible.
We do not need a live interpreter to drive to a location to interpret instructions that are rote if we can provide a reusable video loop. Yes, we do need a live interpreter when a patient gives history to a healthcare provider and when describing an invasive medical procedure and risks involved. Yes, an attorney should meet and plan a case with his or her client. No we do not need a live interpreter to interpret a tour at a museum. The patron can carry a video guide just like the thousands who use audio tours in languages all over the world. I would have had a small portion of the Art and History of Europe without audio tours available in most museums in Europe. The same should be available for ASL, BSL, etc… of course, videos should be made by native signers or interpreted by highly qualified interpreters for a quality production.
Special situations, live lecture with participation, company meetings, yes. You do need a live person but all this technology if used efficiently, will provide arts and entertainment, information, interaction and employment/economic benefits to all of us.
Let’s think about the multitude of opportunities and recognize the wave of the future will be followed by another… and another… and another… and another!
Hi Debbie,
I hear you - not literally, of course, just metaphorically speaking (or should I say “metaphorically typing”?) Enough of this joshing..You have my greatest respect, Debbie.
hmmm - Paradigm changes over time and so it will for Interpreting scenario. I remember very well the first few meetings with Free Lance Interpreters when I was coordinating VRS trials. When I asked if they could see themselves being “deskbound” doing interpreting work. Strong comments with hint of anger or with plenty of “harrumphing” or face flush with red would exclaim “NEVER” - oh, one or two did say they may be willing, but majority of them did not. My, my, how paradigm have changed. I would not be surprised if 80% of Interpreters are “deskbound” Interpreters.
It used to be far distant where a 3D TV would become part of technology. It is now at the horizon and becoming more visible all the time. I predict that 3D with VP will further change paradigm in the world of interpreters. To say nothing of other telecomm innovations that have yet to show up.
Don’t get me wrong. FL Interpreters will always be with us; it is just that their roles will not be same as it was in the past.
Always good to get your input, Debbie.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
RT Admin.
I’d like to take a moment to clarify a concern raised by Mr. Daryl Crouse about the interoperability of purchased Ojos.
Ojo video phones made commercially available for purchase have all been non-interoperable. These commercial Ojos are made available by WorldGate, who has yet to make them interoperable for the general public.
The Ojos that Snap!VRS distributes at no charge to deaf and hard of hearing consumers all are interoperable. To date, hearing people who use Snap!VRS’ website to obtain an Ojo make their purchase directly from WorldGate, and the bought Ojos are shipped directly from WorldGate to the hearing customer.
Mr. Crouse purchased and received his Ojo from WorldGate, not from Snap!VRS.
However, Snap!VRS has listened to hearing members of the deaf community such as Mr. Crouse, and agrees that its important to make available interoperable Ojos to those people. We want to allow hearing people to freely call deaf people through video phones and to allow deaf people to use the Ojos of their hearing family and friends when they visit. More importantly, Snap!VRS wants to everything it can to help video phones become universally accessible for all, including deaf people.
Snap!VRS has worked with WorldGate and is putting the final touches on a new Family and Friends program that would make interoperable Ojos available for hearing people to purchase.
Due to an error on WorldGate’s part, Mr. Crouse received an interoperable Ojo from WorldGate before the Friends and Family program was officially launched. Its my understanding that WorldGate will correct the matter once the program is in place.
I apologize for the public nature of my response, but want to be sure that people, including Mr. Crouse, was fully informed in response to his concern raised in this forum.
Please feel free to write to me directly anytime you have a question or concern, my email address is jrosen@snapvrs.com.
Thanks.
Jeff Rosen, General Counsel for Snap!VRS
Actually I do see VRI coming of age - but one of the legal bounds like myself, I work in a medical environment and the biggest challenge is getting them to allow accessibility for VRS or VRI - because they fear by opening the ports to allow VRS or VRI would expose their networks. Even though I think it is a great way particularly if you only need an interpreter for like 5-15 minutes it provides an accessibility for the deaf individuals. We have to keep on voicing our opinions - and keep on promoting it. It is a new age - and i do think if companies sees the cost difference between a FL interpreter vs a VRI interpreter most might end up going with a VRI interpreter. ON top of that, the rising cost of gas and more is also going to send in my opinion interpreters to positions where they don’t have to drive all over place. The economy is not what it used to be, and everyone is always looking for a cheaper way to do things - as you said - Companies are trying to get by using VRS when they really should use VRI. For them, WHY NOT it is MONEY! But it is sad, but that is where we as a deaf consumer need to try to be more ethical on how the process should be done. But good article and good read - I want to see more accessibility for many deaf/hoh individuals.
Truly I had a hard time finding alive interpreter in Myrtle Beach, SC, so I decided to send all information about VI to each hospital in my area, I was surprised that Grand Strand and Loris Hospital already have VI. I am tired of going to any hospital and cannot get an interpreter at anytime or anywhere. To me VI is good solution to the Deaf problems. Why not take advantage of this high technolgoy?
With all due respect Jeff, when you say “Mr. Crouse purchased and received his Ojo from WorldGate, not from Snap!VRS.”, you may want to check your facts again. The credit card charge says Snap VRS and so does the receipt.
Billy Koch,
Well said on ur comments. As u say it is now new age and we all have to adjust or embrace new technologies AND services. Quality of services are impacted by new technologies. We’re in a GREAT time - despite the growing pains.
George Adams,
Exactly! I’m sure there will be some adjustments and give/take of who should do this and that, and then who should not do this and that. Apparently, VRI is making its presence felt. To be honest with you, I did not think VRI would take off like that, but slowly I am seeing more and more VRI making its impact.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
Ed- I couldnt find email contact information so I can send you an email. But I guess I will go ahead and do here
FCC just announced new rating on VRS and those will be “locked” for 3 years! what do you think?
Jon,
I am currently reading this and hope to do a vlog on this.
Ed