VRS vs VRI

For members of the deaf community familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), Video Relay Services (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) both provide valuable tools for communicating with the hearing world.

VRS is a form of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) which:

1. allows those with hearing disabilities access to the telephone system

2. allows the deaf to use American Sign Language instead of a text telephone (TTY) to call a hearing party over normal telephone lines

3. permits the use of a high speed Internet connection plus a web cam or video conferencing equipment to access a Communications Assistant (CA) in a call center

4. relies on the CA to relay information to and from a hearing person on their telephone

5. also permits a hearing person to initiate a call to the deaf individual

The FCC covers the costs of all VRS calls through the Interstate TRS Fund.  Calls are free to both parties and are “relayed” by the CA, who is a skilled, qualified ASL interpreter.

The Federal Communications Commission mandates that VRS is only to be used in a situation where the person with a hearing disability would normally make a customary voice call through the telephone system were it not for the disability.  VRS may not be used as a substitute for a live interpreter.

VRI serves a different need.  With VRI, both the deaf and hearing individuals are situated in the same place, such as a hospital, school, college classroom, courtroom, police station, prison, or any other location where a live ASL interpreter is unavailable.

Fees for VRI are paid for by the party requesting them.  Depending on the need, a sign language interpreter may be required as a reasonable accommodation required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), especially in hospital and courthouse settings.

VRI is only limited by bandwidth.  Services are available 24/7.  VRI is now the first choice for medical clinics where the need for an ASL interpreter cannot always be predicted in advance.

Traditional live sign language interpreters usually:

* require booking in advance (24 hours)

* demand a 2 hour minimum, regardless of the length of interpreting time

* charge the minimum fee if the assignment is not canceled 24 hours in advance

* charge if the client is a no-show, such as a deaf student skipping a class

VRI is an ideal solution to:

1. substitute for in-person interpreters when not available

2. cut the cost to hospitals and schools who are required to provide sign language interpreters but who are not reimbursed by the government

3. provide interpreting in hazardous situations such as prisons and medical facilities

4. available 24/7 when needed

5. no fees for last minute booking or cancellations

6. get rid of “in-person” interpreter charges for travel and parking

Improper use of VRS to substitute illegally for VRI is an ongoing concern of the FCC.  While VRS providers have systems in place to identify abusive calls, no system is infallible.

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