Messenger
-
Company Message
Sorenson Communications celebrated its seventh anniversary in March. Take a look back with Sorenson employees at the early years of SVRS.
-
Sorenson Communications Responds to Users
Since its inception, Sorenson Communications has been committed to responding to deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers’ communication needs. Sorenson continues to respond to feedback from its users to provide them with the highest-quality technology and services.
-
Meet One of Sorenson’s First Interpreters
Sorenson’s goal has always been to provide SVRS users with the best VRS experience possible. Sorenson combined innovative technology and the best interpreters available to provide award-winning service.
-
New Video Contest Underway
Sorenson Communications recognizes the power of visual communication-especially the power inherent in sign language. That is why Sorenson is sponsoring its first-ever “Express Yourself” Video Contest. The goal of the contest is to encourage the creation of video content that contains sign language, is deaf-related or contains representations of deaf culture.
Entries will be accepted through April 27, 2010.
To obtain an “Express Yourself” Video Contest entry form and view the Official Rules, visit www.sorensonvrs.com/express.
-
Utah Business Magazine Honors Sorenson Communications Vice President of Operations
Jason Dunn, Sorenson Communications Vice President of Operations, was featured in Utah Business magazine’s annual “Forty Under40” issue in February. The “Forty Under 40” issue recognizes young professionals who have made substantial contributions to their respective industries and who have achieved in their careers.
Dunn joined Sorenson Communications in 2004 as Operations Manager. His responsibilities included assessing all aspects of Sorenson VRS Interpreting Centers, hiring and training Sorenson’s first operations coordinators and regularly reviewing the invoices of hundreds of independent contractors.
Dunn notes that the past five and a half years have been a whirlwind. “It’s not so much what I’ve accomplished that’s been rewarding, but what I’ve learned from working with such an extraordinary executive team.” His advice for young professionals: “Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond what has been assigned to you. This sometimes requires a little sacrifice. Work hard. Take a team approach - it’s not just about you.”
Jason Dunn
Sorenson Communications Vice President of Operations
-
The Western Region Academic Bowl Returns to Utah
The Western Region Academic Bowl was held at the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on Feb. 19 and 20. The Western Region Academic Bowl is a competition for academically top-ranking deaf high school students. The bowl is organized by Gallaudet University. This year, 16 teams of students who attend deaf schools in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming traveled to Utah to participate in the tournament. Utah was represented by a three-member team from the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Academic competition categories included, among others: math, science, technology, deaf studies and current events.
Two members of the Utah team, BreAna and Katelyn, a junior and sophomore respectively, say their goal is to encourage other teens to compete in the bowl. The tournament was sponsored by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sorenson congratulates all participants of the Western Region Academic Bowl for their hard work and dedication.
Representing Utah in the Western Region Academic Bowl (L to R) are Katelyn and BreAna from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind. The school’s mascot is the eagle.
-
Sorenson Video Center Now Available on iPhone and iPod touch
Sorenson Communications now offers a free, downloadable application that makes it possible for Sorenson VRS users to view the Sorenson Video Center on their iPhone® or iPod touch®. The Video Center offers deaf individuals access to SignMail®, which is similar to a voice message, but recorded in American Sign Language (ASL). The Video Center also provides informational and entertainment videos, all in ASL. Now SVRS users who have an iPhone or iPod touch can access the Video Center-and SignMail, anytime, anywhere. As in the past, these services can be accessed without using an interpreter.
The Video Center App is available at no cost from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch at www.itunes.com/appstore. More information is available on the Sorenson Communications VRS website at www.sorensonvrs.com/vcip.
The Video Center App contains a video tutorial to help users get started as well as answers to questions they might have when using the Video Center App.
-
Sign Language Interpreters Train with World-Famous Translator at the VRSII
Sorenson Communications established the Video Relay Service Interpreting Institute (VRSII) to provide deaf users of SVRS and the deaf communities with the finest sign language interpreters available. The VRSII develops interpreters’ skills by providing training based on the work of top English and ASL translation educators. Arranging for guest lecturers is one way the VRSII provides enriching experiences.
On March 2 through 4, 2010, the VRSII offered a group of SVRS and community interpreters an opportunity to learn from Dr. Daniel Gile, an internationally-renowned translation expert. Gile’s academic research and findings have greatly influenced the ideology of sign language interpreting for the past decade. The three-day seminar concentrated on cognitive processing skills which are the focus of Gile’s work. Studying cognitive processing skills help interpreters to recognize the underlying meaning of a person’s words which can make their interpreting more accurate and clear. This skill set can empower the interpreter to be more effective.
Dr. Daniel Gile responds to a VRSII student during the March seminar.
Dr. Carolyn Ball, Executive Director of the VRSII, explains that Gile’s training is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for interpreters and interpreter educators who are attending the lectures. “Many of the models we use for our interpreting research and teaching have come from Daniel Gile. It is rare to have such a distinguished international scholar provide direct training for the ASL/English interpreting community,” says Ball.
Gile began his academic work in translation more than 30 years ago. He is the published author of nine books and over 200 papers on the topic of translation. Gile has been a professor in Paris, France for the past 22 years, and currently teaches at Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle.
-
VRSII Provides Opportunity for Interpreting Graduates
The VRSII is launching an intensive sign language interpreter training program called School-to-Work. The program is a 14-week, all-expenses-paid internship designed to move interpreter education program (IEP) graduates more quickly to employment. The School-to-Work Program will provide IEP graduates with the experiences and skills necessary to acquire national certification by passing the National Interpreter Conference (NIC) Interview and Performance tests.
Participants who successfully complete the School-to-Work Program and Sorenson’s VRS screening process, and who are interested, will be considered for employment as Sorenson Communications interpreters. Application materials were accepted through March 20, 2010.
- One-time transportation costs to and from Salt Lake City
- On-site housing in Salt Lake City for the duration of the program
- Up to $40 per day reimbursement for food
- Payment of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)-Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) NIC Interview and Performance testing fee
To be eligible to apply for the School-to-Work Program, applicants must have graduated from an IEP program between Nov. 2008 and June 2010 and passed the written portion of the NIC Exam. They must also be a current supporting member of RID. Once accepted, applicants must have a laptop computer with current computing software. They must also have sufficient funds to cover any incidental expenses during the internship. Applicants selected for the program will be notified of their acceptance by April 15.
-
Want SVRS Equipment?
Do you need SVRS equipment (videophone) for your home or office? Do you have deaf family members or friends who still need to get SVRS equipment?
Apply for FREE SVRS equipment today!
When you select Sorenson as your default provider of VRS or IP Relay, Sorenson will help you choose a 10-digit telephone number for use with that service. To select Sorenson as your default provider, call 800-659-4810. Your new number will be portable to another provider. To properly route 911 calls to local emergency service providers, Sorenson must have your correct street address. You can update your address on your Sorenson videophone or by calling 800-659-4810 or visiting www.sorensonvrs.com/moving. Sorenson will confirm receipt of this address information. For more information about 10-digit numbers and the limitations and risks associated with using Sorenson’s VRS or IP Relay services to place a 911 call, please visit Sorenson’s website at: www.sorenson.com/disclaimer.
