Messenger
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Sorenson Communications Scam Alert
VRS technology has ushered in a new era of communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Unfortunately, there are those who would take advantage of members of the deaf community by posing as representatives of VRS providers to perpetrate a scam. Watch this important video to learn how to avoid being taken advantage of and what to do if you suspect someone of fraudulent activity.
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It’s Not Too Late to Choose a “Default Provider”
According to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate, every deaf and hard-of-hearing individual who uses Video Relay Service (VRS) is required to choose a “default provider” by Nov. 12, 2009. Sorenson Communications would like to thank the thousands of VRS users who have chosen Sorenson Communications as their provider. If you have questions regarding local numbers or the local-number process and would like to speak to a Sorenson Communication representative, please dial 866-756-6729.
Sorenson Communications has assigned thousands of local 10-digit videophone numbers since fall 2008. If you have chosen a different provider and want to switch your number to Sorenson Communications, you’re not too late! Simply visit www.sorensonvrs.com/connect.
When you choose Sorenson as your provider you enjoy “Gold Services” such as Contacts Lists, Call History, Redial and Speed Dial, SignMail®, LightRing™ Visual Caller ID, Call Waiting and the best technical and customer support available! And remember: Sorenson Communications offers Enhanced 911 (E911) calls. Clink the link below to see how one customer used Sorenson VRS® to place a 911 call.
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Robert Davila: Gallaudet President 2006 - 2009
On Dec. 10, 2006, Robert Davila was named President of Gallaudet University, the United States’ premier deaf university. Davila has said, “I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have had the opportunity to set high goals and standards for myself and my ambitions. Everything I ever wanted has been fulfilled. I couldn’t ask for more.” Davila will end his tenure as President of Gallaudet in December. T. Alan Hurwitz has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as Gallaudet University’s tenth president and will begin his service in January 2010.
Davila was born into a Mexican migrant-worker family who traveled constantly and had no permanent home. They spoke only Spanish. At age eight, Davila contracted spinal meningitis which caused him to become deaf. Davila’s mother sent him to the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley, now known as the California School for the Deaf - Fremont. This act changed Davila’s future. Education became a focal point of his life, both personally and professionally. He graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor’s degree in education and went on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees from Hunter College and Syracuse University, respectively.
After spending 17 years at Gallaudet University as a professor, administrator and Vice President of Pre-College Programs, Davilla was appointed as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services under President George H.W. Bush. In this role, Davila provided critical policy guidance, clarifying what “least restrictive environment” meant for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and achieved changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1996, Davila was appointed as the RIT Vice President for NTID.
Sorenson Communications recognizes Robert Davila’s years of dedication to educational service and wishes him continued success in future endeavors.
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Interpreter Feature: SODA Matthew Gibbens
Many hearing individuals who know sign language learned it because they have deaf family members. Watch this video to learn about Matthew Gibbens, the VRS Messenger featured interpreter, as he discusses his experience growing up with deaf siblings.
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Sorenson Goes Green and Benefits Local Deaf Schools
Sorenson Communications is pleased to announce that it has teamed with Green Fiber, the largest producer of cellulose insulation in North America, to roll out a new paper-recycling initiative. Sorenson Communications will be compensated based on the weight of fiber removed from the facility. All recycling revenue earned by Sorenson will be donated to local schools for the deaf.
On July 16, the Sorenson Human Resources department launched the new program, which includes the placement of blue recycling bins throughout Sorenson’s corporate headquarters. Employees were encouraged to get involved by recycling their newspapers, boxes, phone books, office paper (non-confidential documents), cardboard and construction paper.
Green Fiber’s recycled paper and fiber products are used in manufacturing environmentally-friendly insulation for new construction. The insulation is sold at home centers and to insulation contractors nationwide.
As part of the new program, all Sorenson Communications employees working at the corporate headquarters received a Sorenson-branded, spill-proof mug. These mugs will alleviate the need for plastic cups, previously supplied to employees for beverages. This simple step will save thousands of plastic cups from ending up in landfills. The mugs are a tangible reminder that everyone has a responsibility to work “green.” Sorenson Communications is committed to taking these steps to create a working environment with green solutions.
Sorenson Communications employees and the Green Fiber mascot prepare for the recycling program kickoff.
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2009 Interpreter Education Program Award of Excellence
Sorenson Communications is pleased to announce that Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) is the 2009 recipient of the Sorenson Video Relay Service (SVRS) Interpreter Education Program (IEP) Award of Excellence. The $10,000 award is given annually to underwrite books, materials and/or technology for programs that are making meaningful contributions to the field of ASL interpreting by expanding curriculum and responding to the demand for qualified interpreters.
One of the first colleges in the U.S. to offer an IEP, GPC now reports a student pass rate of 90 percent on the written portion of the RID National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam. GPC prepares students to enter the field of interpreting through the use of digital recording equipment in its language lab, providing them with opportunities to see themselves signing on camera and to also practice reading others signing on the monitors. These experiences help prepare students for a career in community and VRS interpreting work.
Christine Smith, recently-retired GPC Sign Language Interpreting Department Coordinator, says GPC also requires students to become involved in the deaf community to give them a better understanding of deaf individuals and deaf culture. Smith says, “Interpreting is not a profession that can be learned merely by sitting in classes. Students have to be involved in the community outside of the classroom to practice and apply what they learn in class.” GPC requires that students spend 200 service hours in the deaf community prior to graduation. “The community outreach requirement has established a culture of service within our program which has extended past graduation into a commitment to service as professionals,” says Smith.
Sorenson Communications congratulates 2009 IEP Award of Excellence winner GPC on its outstanding IEP program.
Students move between classes on Georgia Perimeter College’s Clarkston campus. GPC was one of the first colleges to offer a sign language interpreting program, which began in 1978.
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RID Super sites
Sorenson Communications is dedicated to furthering interpreter education opportunities that will benefit the deaf community. To this end, Sorenson Communications is partnering with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and other deaf-community organizations to offer six more RID Super Site locations where interpreters can test for their National Interpreter Certification (NIC).
In addition to providing dedicated testing space in the Sorenson Atlanta and Columbus VRS Interpreting Centers, Sorenson negotiated four additional RID Super Sites that will be hosted by post-secondary institutions that offer IEPs.
In an effort to make national certification an achievable goal for more interpreters, the six new RID Super Sites are strategically located in areas of the United States where ASL interpreters are underserved. These additional RID sites are located in Atlanta, Columbus, Kansas City, Kan., Chicago, Milwaukee and Greensboro, N.C.
Sorenson Communications is pleased to continue to support the RID in establishing a national standard of quality for interpreters and transliterators as it pursues its mission of growing and developing the interpreting profession.
Sorenson Communications congratulates 2009 IEP Award of Excellence winner GPC on its outstanding IEP program.
The Sorenson Communications Columbus Ohio VRS Interpreting Center houses an RID Super Site.
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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!
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.
