What I Do to Improve My Video Relay Services (VRS) Experience

Many people who are deaf/hard of hearing (hoh), including myself, use Video Relay Services (VRS) to make and receive accessible phone calls. While VRS is a wonderful service that has made it possible for people who are deaf/hoh to lead more independent and equitable lives, it is not perfect. For many reasons – some of which are mentioned in my video – VRS calls are not always a positive or effective experience for people who are deaf/hoh. In my short video, I share several strategies I use to have a more positive and effective VRS experience. . For my hearing followers, VRS is a form of Telecommunications Relay Service that enables people who are deaf or hoh to use American Sign Language to communicate with voice telephone users through video equipment, rather than through typed text. An interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. . 🚨NOTE: Per regulations set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), VRS may not be used as a substitute for in-person interpreting or Video Relay Interpreting (VRI). Non-compliance is considered unlawful. . . . SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram & Twitter - @maryharman . . . VD: Mary is signing in front of a set of soft white blinds. She is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt. Her brown wavy hair is worn down. . . . TRANSCRIPT: I want to talk about Video Relay Services (VRS). There are some things I do when placing a VRS call to have a more positive and effective experience. I’m sharing this because nearly every time I’m about to end a VRS call, the VRS interpreter shares that they greatly appreciate my approach, saying that this rarely occurs. So, I want to share this information with you. While you are in no way obligated to do this, I feel this information can benefit many people. I am simply sharing my experience. As many deaf/hoh people know, placing a VRS call is much like a hat-pick. You never know who or what you’re going to get. There are many interpreters with a wide variety of skills, signing styles, comfort using specialized vocabulary, and so forth. VRS interpreting is highly demanding and complex work. VRS interpreters have no idea what to expect once a VRS call is initiated. This is made even more difficult when they have to shift gears between each call for hours on end. It is also quite challenging to interpret effectively without any contextual information. This, paired with not being able to choose my interpreters and/or verify whether they are qualified to interpret my call, makes it very difficult and oftentimes, impossible to ensure an effective VRS call. Therefore, my experience using VRS can be frustrating at times. However, there are a few things I do to make my VRS call a more positive one. Here’s what I do: I try to view this as an opportunity to collaborate with a VRS interpreter and render a more positive VRS experience. After I connect with a VRS interpreter, but before the call to the hearing person is initiated, I tell the interpreter that I have some contextual information that I would like to briefly share before the call is placed. Note that if I have a specific type of call such as a legal call, I will ask the interpreter if they are comfortable with interpreting using specialized terminology. If they hesitate or say no, I thank them for their honesty and request a transfer. Most of the time, they really appreciate this and are more than happy to transfer me to another interpreter because most of them want you to have a positive and effective VRS call. When providing contextual information, I usually state my name, and if applicable, the name of person or entity I am calling, specific terminology that will be used, a brief overview of what the call will be about, and anything else I feel the interpreter needs to know to be able to do their job better. Sometimes I will let the interpreter know whether I prefer transliteration or ASL interpretation. All of this can and should be shared in a very concise manner. Sometimes the interpreter will want to write down some of the information I shared. I let them do this. Once contextual information has been shared, I initiate the call with the hearing person I am calling. Again, this is in no way obligatory. I am speaking from my experience, and this has helped me have more positive VRS calls.