Sorenson Communications Introduces One-Number Access to Spanish-Speaking VRS Interpreters for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals

Sorenson Communications®, the nation’s leading provider of Video Relay Services (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use sign language to communicate, today announced a new feature providing direct, one-number access to Sorenson VRS Español 24/7, an interpreting service that enables deaf individuals to make videophone calls to any hearing Spanish-speaking individual.

The new one-number Spanish VRS service is available to deaf videophone users at the URL rapidovrs.tv, and toll-free to hearing individuals at 1-866-9VRSLATINO (1-866-987-7528). Hearing callers who speak Spanish can use this number toll-free from the United States, its territories, Canada and many Caribbean islands. Sorenson Communications launched Sorenson VRS Español 24/7 in March 2007. Then, callers used one general number for connection to English- and Spanish-speaking interpreters.

“We are delighted to provide this new streamlined service to our customers,” said Lisa A. Fragoso, Sorenson VRS Español Service Manager. “Direct one-number access makes it even faster and easier for deaf individuals and their friends, family and business colleagues who speak Spanish to take advantage of the industry’s highest-quality VRS interpreters.”

Sorenson VRS Español 24/7 interpreters are trilingual: qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, proficient in English, and professionally rated in spoken Spanish by Berlitz Languages Inc., one of the world’s top language services providers. Interpreters must attain one of Berlitz’s highest three categories of spoken Spanish, and once on the job, Spanish-speaking VRS interpreters undergo comprehensive and ongoing professional development, including one-on-one mentoring, virtual seminars and quarterly Spanish-focused trainings.

When placing a call through rapidovrs.tv, a deaf or hard-of-hearing user sees the Sorenson VRS Español 24/7 trilingual interpreter on a TV screen and communicates in sign language while the interpreter contacts the Spanish-speaking hearing user via a standard telephone. The interpreter then relays the conversation between parties fluidly, in real time. Access to Sorenson VRS and Sorenson VRS Español 24/7 requires a videophone, a TV screen and a broadband Internet connection.

For more information please visit www.sorensonvrs.com/espanol.

About Sorenson Communications

Sorenson Communications® (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications services and products. The company’s offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS®), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson (VP-100® and VP-200®) videophones; Sorenson IP Relay® (SIPRelay), enabling text-to-speech relay communication; and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting™ (VRI), a fee-based remote interpreting service.

© 2009 Sorenson Communications. All products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Contacts

Sorenson Communications
Ann Bardsley, 801-287-9400
abardsley {at} sorenson(.)com