AccessAmerica Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is a convenient, extremely cost effective and professional Sign Language interpreting service. AccessAmerica is a service of The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center of Louisiana and its affiliates who supply Sign Language Interpreters around the nation.
AccessAmerica-VRI enables deaf and hearing individuals who are in the same location to easily conduct conversations through a remote interpreter, video conferencing technology, and a high-speed Internet connection. Depending on your specific needs, you may conduct a VRI session by scheduling an appointment beforehand or completing a “User Profile” and opting for the “ON DEMAND” service. AccessAmerica-VRI assists companies and organizations in complying with the current American's with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act and other related state and federal regulations.
AccessAmerica-VRI is for both Deaf and hearing individuals who need to converse with each other. AccessAmerica-VRI can take the place of scheduling an interpreter to be physically present on-site at your location. Whether it is a simple conversation between two individuals (i.e. an employee and supervisor) or a lengthy conference call with many details to work through (i.e. an in-service training), an AccessAmerica-VRI interpreter is invaluable when it comes to communicating your meaning clearly, quickly and cost effectively.
Available 24-hours a day 7 days a week for those with a registered “User Profile”, AccessAmerica-VRI is ideal for any business, school, agency, court of law or organization that currently utilizes live (Dynamic) interpreting services and is looking to provide an overall better experience for its Deaf employees, consumers, patients or students. VRI is ideal for:
- Schools (i.e. classroom settings for children, teens and adults)
- Corporations (i.e. staff training)
- Financial institutions (i.e. establishing accounts)
- Government organizations (i.e. applying for benefits/services)
- Vocational rehabilitations centers (i.e. job training)
- Hospitals/Doctors (i.e. Patient consultations and treatment)
To conduct video remote interpreting sessions, you may schedule an appointment beforehand or complete a “User Profile” and opt to use the “ON DEMAND” service. We suggest you contact AccessAmerica-VRI to discuss specific videoconferencing system requirements and equipment options. One popular option is the use of the Virtual Interpreter™, a mobile and sleek workstation combined with a video conferencing unit provided free of charge by AccessAmerica. This mobile cart has been designed specifically for VRI and can fit in most every type of environment and space.You may also choose to utilize any video conferencing equipment your company already has. When it is time for the VRI session you connect to AccessAmerica-VRI, and the remote interpreter will appear on your TV or computer screen. The interpreter, who uses a Polycom videoconferencing camera and a TV will sign everything that the hearing person speaks and voice everything the deaf individual signs. In this manner, the deaf and hearing person can converse back and forth, just as if the interpreter was physically present in the same room. Upon completion of the conversation between the deaf and hearing parties, the interpreter disconnects and the company is billed according to their prearranged payment plan for the number of interpreted minutes, NOT hours. AccessAmerica-VRI is extremely cost effective.