Messenger

• Company Message

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• New Privacy Screen Regulations

  Watch this video to learn important information about new FCC rules governing the use of the privacy/hold screen by VRS interpreters.

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• New ntouch Mobile for Android Features Now Available

  Sorenson's ntouch Mobile™ is now supported by the Samsung^® Nexus S! Watch the video to learn more about the exciting new services that make ntouch Mobile even more convenient for Sorenson customers.

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• Gallaudet Swim Teams Sweep the NEAC Championship

  During the 2010-2011 school year, Gallaudet's men's and women's swim teams both won the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championship. The coach of both teams, Bill Snape, was also named NEAC Coach of the Year.

  This was the first year that Gallaudet competed in the NEAC league. "When the year started, it had a different feel to it," says Snape. "There was good energy on the men's team, and we had some outstanding seniors on the women's team. I sent an email that said, 'This is going to be a great year - keep at it.'"

  2010-2011 Gallaudet Women’s Swim Team with Coach Bill Snape

  2010-2011 Gallaudet Men’s Swim Team with Coach Bill Snape

  Carlisle Robinson, Gallaudet senior and women's swim team captain, was named NEAC Swimmer of the Year. Post graduation, Carlisle is planning to pursue her master's degree and specialize in deaf and special education, working with teachers, interpreters, aides and parents to help students excel in school. Robinson says of the competition, "I think we all deserved to win this for all the hard work we did. To get first place was an incredible experience."

  Carlisle Robinson delivered the first win for the Bison women’s swim team in the NEAC championships.

  Carlisle Robinson, Gallaudet Women’s Swim Team captain

  Two outstanding swimmers on the men's team were Brian Bennett, team captain and NEAC Men's Swimmer of the Year, and D.J. Lovell-Everett, up-and-coming freshman. Bennett will compete in the World Games in Portugal this summer. Both Bennett and Everett-Lovell will be swimming for Gallaudet again in 2012. "We won the NEAC championship," says Everett-Lovell, "but I want to be even faster than I have been in the past. I think I can do even better next year."

  Brian Bennett, Gallaudet Men’s Swim Team captain, smashed the record in the 500-yard freestyle event with a time of 4:58.22.

  D.J. Everett-Lovell competes in the 100-yard backstroke in the NEAC championships.

  Good luck to both teams in the coming school year!
  
  All photos courtesy of Matt Kohashi/Gallaudet University Athletics.

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• Share Your Summer Fun: Sorenson Summer Gallery

  Sorenson Communications wants to see how you are making memories this summer. Send us your summer memories in the way you look back at them - photos, paintings, scrapbook pages - any method you use to record happy summer events. Sorenson will choose several entries and share them in our next VRS Messenger newsletter.

  Click on the button below to access the submission form. Print the form and mail it to Sorenson Communications with your entry. The address is located on the submission form.

  

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• Wells Fargo Reaches Settlement with Deaf Customers for Refusing Video Relay Calls and Other ADA Violations

  On May 31, 2011, the United States Justice Department's Disability Rights Section settled a lawsuit with Wells Fargo & Company. Under the agreement, Wells Fargo will pay up to $16 million in compensation to customers from whom they refused to accept relay calls, a violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement requires Wells Fargo to accept calls made through a relay service by customers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and, among other requirements, to provide qualified sign language or oral interpreters, when necessary, to ensure effective communication throughout its financial services and retail facilities. The settlement is important as it serves to educate other companies on the legal obligation they have to accept relay calls. For more information on the agreement, visit http://www.ada.gov/wells_fargo/index.htm.

  If you ever encounter a business who refuses to accept your relay call, you can file a complaint with the Department of Justice at http://www.ada.gov/enforce.htm#anchor218282 or seek assistance from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Law and Advocacy Center by emailing nad.info@nad.org.

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• "Express Yourself" Video Contest Winners Announced

  Sorenson Communications is dedicated to the preservation of deaf culture and American Sign Language. For this reason, Sorenson again hosted its "Express Yourself" Video Contest. Watch the video to see the excitement as Ron Burdett, Sorenson Vice President of Community Relations, announces the winners of the 2011 Sorenson "Express Yourself" Video Contest. Check your Video Center to view the winning entries. They will be shown during the month of June.

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• Sorenson Wins Deaf Illinois Award

  Far left: John Miller of Deaf Illinois Awards; Center: Chicago-area Sorenson Communications Trainers; Far right: Liz Tannebaum of Deaf Illinois Awards

  Sorenson Communications is the 2011 winner of the Deaf Illinois Award for "Best VRS Provider." Sorenson has won this award every year, for the last three years. Deaf Illinois Awards are given for a broad range of deaf-related topics. Some of these topics include: deaf services, deaf entertainment and education, government agencies, hearing and deaf advocates - even politicians! Sorenson Communications is honored to receive the Deaf Illinois Award for best VRS provider.

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• Around Town

  Sorenson Communications will be attending the following events through early August 2011:

  Event	Date	Location
  American Association of the Deaf and Blind Symposium	June 19-23	Fort Mitchell, Ky.
  Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Conference for the National Athletic Directors	June 20-22	Faribault, Minn.
  Lafayette Athletic Association Bowling	June 22-25	Baton Rouge, La.
  American Society for Deaf Children/Maryland School for the Deaf Parent Choices National Convention	June 23-26	Frederick, Md.
  Empire State Association of the Deaf	June 23-26	Buffalo, N.Y.
  Central Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association Golf Tournament	June 23-26	Forest Park, Ill.
  Iowa School for the Deaf '70's Class Reunion	June 24-25	Council Bluffs, Iowa
  Maine Deaf Hard-of-Hearing LD Conference	June 24	Portland, Maine
  Texas Rangers Deaf Youth Camp Fundraiser	June 24	Fort Worth, Texas
  McHenry Deaf Club Picnic	June 25	Crystal Lake, Ill.
  St. Rita Festival	July 8-10	Cincinnati, Ohio
  Deaf Tennessean Expo	July 9	Franklin, Tenn.
  Tennessee School for the Deaf Summer Camp	July 10-22	Knoxville, Tenn.
  Wet 'n' Wild Florida Association of the Deaf Event	July 15-16	Delray Beach, Fla.
  Illinois Association of the Deaf 46th Biennial Conference	July 30-Aug. 2	Jacksonville, Ill.
  West Virginia Association of the Deaf Biennial Conference	Aug. 4-6	Parkersburg, W.Va.

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  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!

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  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.