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New! SIPRelay Messages and Outbound Caller I.D.
Sorenson is pleased to announce two new SIPRelay services: SIPRelay Messages and Outbound Caller I.D. Watch the video to learn more about these useful services.
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Deaf Kids Network "Storytime" Videos Now Available
on the Video CenterSorenson Communications is pleased to present "Storytime" as part of its new Deaf Kids Network™ (DKN™). DKN and Storytime videos are accessible to Sorenson VRS® (SVRS® ) users on the Sorenson Video Center through VP-200® videophones. There is no cost to view the stories and it is not necessary to use relay to access the ASL videos.
This enchanting series of videos is based on classic fairytales from Brothers Grimm and Aesop's Fables. The family-friendly Storytime videos are signed in ASL by a storyteller and accompanied by colorful illustrations. Family members of all ages will enjoy viewing these wonderful stories. SVRS users can download the Video Center app to their iPhone® or iPod touch® so children can be entertained by Storytime videos anywhere, anytime.
Each month, two new Storytime videos will be released. Children will be delighted by "The Two Travelers and the Bear" and "The Gingerbread Man" as well as "The Master Cat," scheduled for release this month. Don't miss these stories now playing on the Sorenson Video Center.
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Jack Gannon Honored: "The Father of Deaf History"
For more than half a century, Jack Gannon has captured and preserved Deaf history for future generations. In September, Sorenson Communications and the VRS Interpreting Institute were proud to honor Gannon at his alma mater, the Missouri School for the Deaf, as part of Sorenson's Deaf Awareness Month. View the video to learn more about this accomplished Deaf author, curator and historian.
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Sorenson Communications and San Antonio College
Welcome Anthony NataleRecently, the Professional Development Department at Sorenson Communications, in partnership with San Antonio College, hosted a workshop featuring actor and interpreter trainer Anthony Natale. Sorenson Communications sponsored the workshop in an on-going effort to provide training and education for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.
Anthony Natale models the interpretation of "Muddy Water" from the musical "Big River"
during a workshop at the San Antonio College.
Photograph used courtesy of Jo Hilton PhotographyThe workshop, "Advanced Classifiers and ASL Vocabulary," was attended by more than 200 people from the San Antonio area. Attendees included beginning ASL students, members of the Deaf community, Interpreter Training Program (ITP) students and certified sign language interpreters. Certified interpreters were able to earn continuing education units (CEUs) by attending the workshop. More than $1,000 was raised by the workshop attendees to help purchase furniture for San Antonio College's newly-remodeled ITP classrooms. Since 2004, Sorenson Communications has offered more than 200 community-based, CEU workshops. Natale has appeared in many TV shows as well as several movies, including "Jerry Maguire," "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "Children of a Lesser God." In addition to his successful acting career, Natale has spent more than 22 years as an American Sign Language educator.
"Anthony brings a very special gift of language, teaching ability and stage presence that offers unique and challenging learning opportunities," noted Amy Kalmus, Sorenson Communications Director of Professional Development.
Lauri Metcalf, Department Chair of the ITP and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services at San Antonio College, said she felt fortunate to have Anthony present to students, graduates and the San Antonio community. Flavia, one of the workshop attendees said, "I can't thank Sorenson Communications enough for their great efforts to keep up with their interpreter training workshops, trying always to inspire us to be better and do our best. Thanks for the inspiration, the motivation and all the support you give us."
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Extreme Home Makeover Features Sorenson Videophone
In a recent episode, the ABC TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" featured a Sorenson VP-200 videophone and an explanation of Video Relay Service (VRS). The program, which aired on Oct. 31, was filmed at Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) and showed a Sorenson VP-200 videophone booth installed in the common area of the new boy's dormitory. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" built the new, contemporary dorm as well as overhauled the school's "Nightmare Factory," a basement spook alley used for the school's annual fundraiser. The energy-efficient boys' dorm uses "Deaf design," which incorporates open spaces with natural lighting, making it easier to read sign language. A segment of the show featured an OSD student explaining and demonstrating to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" host Ty Pennington how VRS works.
Hundreds of local contractors, laborers and craftspeople, along with dozens of businesses across Oregon, donated time and money to the project. Sorenson Communications will continue to provide VRS access to meet OSD's needs.
L to R: Ginnelle, Western Region District Manager, Spencer, Pleasanton VRS Interpreting Center Director, Mark, Sorenson Communications District Manager, Tammy, Salem VRS Interpreting Center Manager, and Michelle (Shelly), Sorenson Communications VRS Interpreter.
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Sorenson Communications: Empowering You
Deaf people frequently state that "getting jobs" is one of the major challenges they face. In response to this information, Sorenson Communications' Vice President of Community Relations, Ron Burdett, launched a program in 2009 to offer training to Deaf high school students about how to effectively use Video Relay Service (VRS) to connect with potential employers.
In the mock VRS call shown below, Burdett advises one of South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind's (SCSDB) 16 graduating students how to use a Sorenson VP-200 to contact a potential employer. These training calls, which are not billable, provide useful practice sessions that help students feel more confident and relaxed in a real job-search situation. Sorenson Communications also installs VPs in work environments at no cost to the Deaf employee or the employer.
A specialized instructional and resource center, SCSDB offers programs for vocational students as well as a variety of outreach and support services, including a Career and Technology Education program. The main campus is located in Spartanburg.
To apply for a VP-200 at your place of work, visit www.svrs.com/apply. To see how other professionals have used SVRS to enhance their work experiences, visit www.svrs.com/success_stories.
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Utah Governor Visits Sorenson Communications
Recently, Utah's Governor, Gary Herbert, visited one of Sorenson Communications' SIPRelay Call Centers, located in Price, Utah. Pictured L to R: Price City Mayor Joe Piccolo, County Commissioner John Jones, Gov. Gary Herbert, Utah House Rep. Christine Watkins and County Commissioner Mike Milovich.
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SVRS IEP Award of Excellence Winner: Douglas College
Sorenson Communications understands the importance of hiring top-quality ASL interpreters to ensure excellent SVRS calls. To help develop great ASL interpreters, Sorenson invests its time and money to support interpreter education programs (IEPs) across the United States and Canada. Watch the video to learn more about how Sorenson encourages these programs.
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Graduation Ceremonies for First School-to-Work Class
In September, the VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII) celebrated its first School-to-Work graduation.
The VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII) launched the first School-to-Work program in June 2010. This 14-week program provided educational work internships as well as specially-designed classes to ready interpreters to pass the National Interpreter Conference (NIC) Interview and Performance Test and to prepare them for the world of work. The School-to-Work program was designed to increase interpreters' skills between the time they graduate from an interpreter education program (IEP) and when they enter the field of professional ASL interpreting.
Chris Wakeland, Vice President of Interpreting for Sorenson Communications, says, "We see so many recent IEP graduates who leave school with basic interpreting skills, but who lack experience and advanced linguistic knowledge. The School-to-Work program gives recent graduates the opportunity to increase their skills so they can competently enter professional interpreting environments such as Video Relay Service."
L to R: Chris Wakeland, Vice President of Interpreting Services and Dr. Carolyn Ball, Executive Director of the VRSII, sign "VRSII" with the graduating School-to-Work class.School-to-Work graduates left the program with more than 605 hours of academic and intern experience. The program focused on in-depth ASL linguistic skills, mentoring sessions and work internships. Said one graduate, "Having the opportunity to work and network with so many incredible people in the interpreting world was an unforeseen benefit of this program. I am happy that I have been given this wonderful opportunity to be part of this program."
Carolyn Ball, VRSII Executive Director said, "We are proud to provide a process that assists recent interpreter graduates in becoming work ready. This program will empower recent graduates to meet the rigors of professional interpreting and the expectations of the Deaf community."
To learn more about the VRSII, visit www.vrsii.com.
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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.
