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Videophone
801-287-9403
Technicians are available 24/7. Please hold until a
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Mailing Address
Technical Support
4192 South Riverboat
Road, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84123 |
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Away From Your VP? Use SIPRelay
When you don't have access to your Sorenson videophone and you need to communicate on the go, use Sorenson IP Relay (SIPRelay)! Using a personal computer or a mobile device, you can contact anyone anywhere with Sorenson IP Relay.
Sorenson IP Relay is a free service that enables deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to place text-based relay calls from their personal computer (PC) and/or mobile device to any standard telephone user in the US and its territories. A Sorenson Communications Assistant (CA) contacts the standard telephone user and voices the text messages in real-time from the SIPRelay user. All you need to use Sorenson IP Relay is an Internet connection and a PC or mobile device enabled with AOL® Instant Messenger (AIM®).
Sorenson IP Relay works with any Internet connection when using a personal computer and is quick and easy to use. Simply send an instant message to "SIPRelay" using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM®) or go to www.siprelay.com to place a call. |
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Sorenson Communications™ is committed to providing the highest-quality VRS experience possible—through outreach to deaf consumers, interpreter training, and improvements to VRS technology. However, our ability to provide increased access to VRS was recently threatened. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in Washington D.C., which oversees VRS, was considering several proposals that supported deep funding cuts to the VRS program.
Yet, over the last couple of months deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, VRS interpreters, the Video Relay Service Consumer Association (VRSCA), Sorenson Communications, and other VRS providers petitioned the FCC to create a fair, stable, and predictable VRS reimbursement rate for three years. These individuals sent comments—tens of thousands of comments—to the FCC indicating their support of a fair VRS reimbursement rate.
I want to thank the many individuals at Sorenson Communications who worked hard to educate others on the life-changing effects of VRS and the importance of long-term investments in VRS. Special thanks go to the following Sorenson Communications employees: Ron Burdett, Vice President of Community Relations; Diana Lewis, Vice President of Marketing, and the entire Marketing Communications team; Mike Maddix, Regulatory Affairs Manager; Wes Huntsman, Regulatory Accountant; and the Sorenson Consumer Policy Board, comprised of Donalda Ammons, Gertie Galloway, and Larry Fleischer.
Although many individuals have worked tirelessly to communicate the importance of setting a fair VRS rate, the FCC still has not decided the fate of VRS. On June 29, the FCC released an interim order freezing the existing VRS reimbursement rate until it completes work on a new rate methodology.
It appears that the FCC understands the need for stability and predictability in the VRS rate. We hope to continue to work with the FCC to secure an adequate, multi-year rate.
I urge all of you to stay informed on the VRS rate methodology proceedings. You can do this by checking for updates at www.vrsca.org.
Pat Nola
President and CEO
Sorenson Communications
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Sorenson Communications' newly released option, Call Waiting, now puts deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use the Sorenson VP-200® videophone in control of managing multiple incoming videophone calls. This new feature gives VP-200 users notification of a second, incoming call and the option to respond to it, an important telephone function the hearing world has enjoyed for many years. The VP-200 is the first and only videophone designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use ASL to incorporate this feature.
Call Waiting gives a VP-200 videophone user who is already engaged in a videophone call a visual notification on the TV screen when a second call comes in. The videophone user can opt to put the first caller on hold, switch to the second call, and quickly make arrangements for calling back. Or, the VP-200 videophone user can ignore the incoming call and send a message to the second caller indicating he or she is not available. Call Waiting works only on a VP-200 videophone and supports incoming calls placed with either a Sorenson VP-100® or Sorenson VP-200 videophone.
Sorenson Communications President and CEO Pat Nola says, "Call Waiting adds equivalent functionality to the VP-200 videophone and allows deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals whose first language is ASL to more effectively manage personal and professional calls."
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To kick off the 2007 Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, Sorenson Communications was recently honored by the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) for its generosity in providing technology and support to the educational facility, which serves deaf-blind adults and young people.
On June 22, a plaque of appreciation was presented during a ceremony at HKNC's Conference Center, in Sands Point, on Long Island, N.Y. Sorenson Communications has donated 33 VP-200 videophones and televisions to accompany them to the HKNC over the past few years for use by its deaf-blind students and by its deaf-blind and deaf staff members with Sorenson VRS®.
"Sorenson Communications' videophones and Sorenson VRS are very beneficial to us," said Susan Ruzenski, Direct Services Director for the center. "For their work on behalf of individuals who are deaf-blind, it is appropriate that we honor Sorenson Communications as our kickoff to 2007 Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week."
On hand to accept the plaque for Sorenson Communications were David Gardner, Director of Product Management; Kian-Guan Au, Market Specialist, Product Management; Cameron Tingey, Regional Sales Director; Peter Artinian, New York/New Jersey Area Specialist; and Laurie Nash, Manhattan VRS Interpreting Center Director.
"We are grateful for this gracious acknowledgement from the people at the Helen Keller center," said Vice President of Interpreting for Sorenson Communications Chris Wakeland. "The center is a valued partner for us. We appreciate their willingness to help us understand the unique needs of the deaf-blind community."
L to R: Dinah (leader dog); Anindya "Bapin" Bhattacharyya, Technology Development and Training Specialist, HKNC; Kian-Guan Au; Joe McNulty, Executive Director, HKNC; Elizabeth Spiers, Director of Information Services, American Association of the Deaf-Blind; David Gardner; Randy Pope, Webmaster, American Association of the Deaf-Blind; Cameron Tingey; Laurie Nash; Peter Artinian; and James Feldmann, Senior Instructor, IT Specialist, HKNC.
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In an ongoing effort to refine products and services—as well as to accommodate rapid growth—Sorenson Communications has developed a new version of the interpreter and backend software for handling VRS calls: SVRS 5.0.
What does this mean for Sorenson VRS customers?
"Although Sorenson VRS customers will not see any change in the way they place or receive VRS calls, they will notice that call handling is smoother," says Joe Romriell, Sorenson Communications Vice President of Engineering. "The new software will assure continued reliability and smooth call handling. We work hard to continually refine our products, services, and processes to ensure that our systems operate reliably, smoothly, and seamlessly."
"As an engineering department, we try to consistently address challenges with innovation and creativity—all in an attempt to make Sorenson Communications' products user-friendly, reliable, and the best in the industry," notes Romriell. "SVRS 5.0 was the first project to take advantage of new engineering processes and tools, which contributed to a high quality release."
What does this mean for Sorenson VRS interpreters?
The engineering department included interpreter feedback in the development of SVRS 5.0. "We appreciate the Video Interpreters' contributions—the information helps us continually refine software," says Romriell. As a result of that feedback, SVRS 5.0 has improved work flow, making it easier for interpreters to process VRS calls and be more responsive to customers.
Chris Wakeland, Sorenson Communications Vice President for Interpreting, says "Our interpreters love the new software. It makes their jobs easier."
John West, a Sorenson VRS interpreter in Little Rock, AR, says of SVRS 5.0: "This thing flies."
Interpreter Jo Ann Miller-Kinsey, from Raleigh, NC, wrote, "Thanks to all who work so diligently and effectively on the back end to help us on the front end work more efficiently."
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Sorenson Communications employees from across the nation rallied in support when they heard the story of Sorenson VRS Indianapolis interpreter Mary Alka.
On April 16, Andy Alka called 9-1-1 after he found his wife, Mary, on their bathroom floor, slipping in and out of consciousness. Mary had given birth to twins boys six days earlier and was in the midst of what was later determined to be a heart attack. Mary's coronary artery had dissected and started to unravel, putting her (at one point) into full cardiac arrest. Mary was placed on life support, the chaplain was summoned, and the wait began. Mary was not expected to make it through the night. Family and friends came to the aid of the Alka family, taking care of their children and home around the clock.
Over the next two days, Mary's condition stabilized, her heart beat unassisted, and she was taken off the ventilator and the heart pump. In order to test Mary's cognitive skills, Andy asked Mary's deaf sister, Arlene, to come into the room and sign to Mary. With ASL being Mary's first language, she was able to communicate back to Arlene, indicating that both sides of her brain were functioning, a relief to her family and a tremendously positive step forward in recovery.
Cards, monetary donations, and words of encouragement were sent to the Alka family from Sorenson Communications employees, most of whom did not even know Mary.
Mary was released from the hospital on April 24, when she began relearning basic skills, including driving a car.
"I am awed by the love and support I have received from interpreters I have never met but feel like I know in my heart. I am thankful to work for Sorenson and to experience the tremendous feeling of 'family' from my colleagues, both known and unknown," wrote Mary.
Today, Mary has regained some functionality of the damaged part of her heart and her health is improving. Although she does not remember her heart attack and subsequent events, Mary is enjoying being a mother and taking care of her two older children and healthy new twin sons, Luke and Drew.
"I've been given a second chance and I intend to take full advantage of it!" notes Mary. "My thanks to all of you!"
The Alka family (L to R) back row: Mary and Andy; middle row: Kenzie and Korey; front row: twins Drew and Luke.
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Twenty-four Sorenson VRS Interpreting Center managers and directors from across the country gathered in Salt Lake City June 26-29 to attend the first Management 301 training.
In an ongoing effort to provide the highest-quality, professional interpreters, managers met to review company policies and were given the opportunity to interface with corporate personnel.
One manager said, "The opportunity for Q and A with vice presidents and department heads was most beneficial because I felt like I was a part of the company."
Six managers from each interpreting region—three new and three veterans—attended and paired up. This gave attendees one-on-one opportunities to make peer connections, ask questions, and provide support.
Management 301 is the third in a series of training seminars for interpreting center managers. The first seminar, Management 101, is a comprehensive one-week training that takes place one month before opening an interpreting center. Additional training, Management 201, is provided to the manager one month after an interpreting center has opened.
Laura Jones, Eastern Region Interpreting Director, says Management 301 provides managers with enhanced skills to lead Sorenson Communications toward an even brighter future.
"Never before has our profession had such great opportunities for advancement into leadership positions. These positions require ongoing training in management," says Jones. "Ongoing professional development has enriched my life as well as the lives of all those who have chosen to work with such a phenomenal and forward-thinking corporation."
The Sorenson Communications Interpreting Department will host Management 301 trainings once every quarter.
Sorenson VRS Interpreting Center managers and directors gather in Salt Lake City June 26-29 to attend the first Management 301 training.
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Shari Bailey, Sorenson Communications Marketing Communications Specialist from Salt Lake City, was among 300 athletes from 12 countries who gathered in Guangzhou, China, in June, for the 2nd World Deaf Basketball Championships. Bailey played forward for the USA deaf women's basketball team.
After winning the gold medal, Bailey says she was able to use Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS) with Voice Carry Over (VCO) to call her friends and family to share her good news. VCO allows individuals with hearing loss to use their own voice to speak for themselves on a standard telephone while viewing what the hearing party is saying via ASL with Sorenson VRS or captioning with Sorenson IP Relay.
"If it wasn't for VCO, I would not have been able to express the joy and excitement I felt in a way that is natural for me—using my voice," Bailey says.
During the June 22-30 competition, Bailey and her team played five games, winning the last game against Sweden. Bailey also received the All-Star Award, which was given to only ten out of the 300 athletes.
Since first playing internationally in 1981, the USA deaf women's basketball team has received gold medals. Bailey's gold medal will be added to her collection of medals from the 1st World Deaf Basketball Championships in Greece, in 2002, and the Melbourne 2005 20th Summer Deaflympics.
Sorenson Communications congratulates multi-gold medalist Shari Bailey!
Basketball player Shari Bailey, Sorenson Communications Marketing Communications Specialist, is a member of the USA deaf women's basketball team, which recently won the gold medal at the 2nd World Deaf Basketball Championships in China. Bailey was also honored with the All-Star Award.
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As hearing children of deaf parents, Francis, Tony, Dwight, Tina, and Paul Davin were drawn to the interpreting opportunities Sorenson VRS offers.
The Davin children's early days were spent, along with their parents, at deaf functions and church gatherings where they became immersed in deaf culture. Now, all five children work at Sorenson VRS Interpreting Centers—in Sacramento; Santa Rosa, Calif.; and Boise, Idaho.
Tony Davin was the first among his four siblings to become a Sorenson Video Interpreter (VI). After earning a master's degree in Deaf Studies, he taught at Ohlone College under the direction of Ron Burdett, then Dean of Deaf Studies and current Vice President of Community Relations for Sorenson Communications. Tony now works as a VI at the Sacramento Sorenson VRS Interpreting Center.
Tony's positive experiences as a VI influenced his three brothers and one sister to join the Sorenson team. Francis, Paul, and Dwight went through orientation and training together in Sacramento, and Tina began her career at the Boise interpreting center. Tina plans to transfer to the Santa Rosa interpreting center where Francis and Paul currently work.
The flexibility in scheduling, the close proximity to home, and the advancement opportunities are what Francis, Paul, and Dwight like about working for Sorenson VRS.
"It's a wonderful feeling to be able to interpret for the deaf community using a skill that I learned while growing up with deaf parents," says Tina Davin Strode.
The Davin family consists of (L to R) on top row: Shannon (married to Dwight),Tony, Dwight, Ernest (father), Kitty (mother), Paul, Mark Strode (married to Tina); middle row: Ryan (son of Dwight/Shannon), Eileen (married to Francis), Francis, Tina; front row: Zak (son of Francis/Eileen), Zoe (daughter of Francis/Eileen), Isabella (daughter of Mark/Tina).
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Will Sorenson Communications Ever Ask for Your Personal Financial Information?
Sorenson Communications will never call you to ask for your personal financial information. Sorenson Communications has learned that certain individuals have been using the Sorenson Video Relay Service (Sorenson VRS) and IP Relay (SIPRelay) Service to conduct scams. Never provide your personal or financial information when you receive a relay service call from someone you do not know. These individuals claim that they are calling on behalf of Sorenson Communications, then ask the deaf individual to provide certain personal or financial information, such as bank account routing information or credit card or social security numbers. For example, one individual scammer has used Sorenson VRS and claimed the deaf individual contacted has won a Sorenson-sponsored "lottery." The scammer deceptively claims that the deaf individual must first pay a "fee" prior to collecting his or her "winnings" and then asks the customer to provide bank account routing information or a credit card number.
If someone contacts you making these claims, it is a scam to steal your money or to commit fraud. Do not provide your personal or financial information to anyone, unless you have initiated the contact or have confirmed that you are dealing with a legitimate organization. If you are unsure, ask for the caller's name, business identity, telephone number, street address, e-mail address, and business license number. Be sure to verify that the company is legitimate by, for example, checking with your local consumer protection office, Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center, the Federal Trade Commission, or other consumer groups. If you cannot verify that a company is legitimate, do not provide them your information!
If you have been or are being contacted by someone claiming that you have won a prize or lottery sponsored by our company, please immediately alert Sorenson Communications by sending an e-mail to VRScomments@sorenson.com.
For more information about how you can protect yourself against these and other fraudulent practices, please consult the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission, at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml, or the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center, at: http://www.ic3.gov/.
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Did you know that you can call Sorenson VRS with your D-Link videophone?
Go to www.sorensonvrs.com/dlink to view the steps to take if you would like to call Sorenson VRS with your D-Link. Now you can use the best Video Relay Service—Sorenson VRS!
You are also able to call other VRS providers using your Sorenson videophone if you desire. Remember, some services such as Sorenson SignMail and VCO are offered only by Sorenson Communications through your Sorenson videophone and Sorenson VRS.
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Do you need Sorenson VRS equipment (videophone) for your home or office? Do you have DEAF family members or friends who still need to get Sorenson VRS equipment? Apply for FREE Sorenson VRS Equipment today at www.sorensonvrs.com/apply!
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