INVESTED IN VIDEO RELAY SERVICE

Stephen Hlibok has worked for Merrill Lynch in Colombia, Maryland since 1987. Currently, a vice president and senior financial advisor for the Global Private Client Group, Hlibok has experienced big changes in the way he communicates with his clients. Hlibok, who is deaf, uses his Sorenson VP-100 videophone and Sorenson VRS to conduct video relay calls throughout the day to reach his clients across the country.

“Using Sorenson VRS has eliminated the barriers between hearing and deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals,” said Hlibok. “The convenience of using my VP-100 videophone to communicate has created an avenue to better client relations. My clients no longer need to schedule an

interpreter or rely on text-based communication in order to discuss their investments with me. In turn, I have been able to steadily grow my clientele.”

In comparison to the days when only one communication tool for the deaf – TTY was available, Hlibok is no longer limited to long stretches of text and impatient hearing clients. “Even e-mail pales in comparison to utilizing Sorenson VRS when it comes to overall productivity and meaningful contact. Real-time communication is essential when offering financial advice and sharing ideas with my clients,” he adds. “With Sorenson VRS I have more time to conduct my daily business and create investment opportunities for my clients.”

This April will mark our two year anniversary since the public launch of Sorenson VRS. Nothing gives us a greater sense of accomplishment than when we hear about how our customers are able to break down their communication barriers. Below are just a few notes our company has received since January of 2005.

“This is really exciting to see ‘the day has come’ that we all are hooked up to Sorenson VRS....I really feel like I can just pick up the videophone (remote control) and call anyone in the field without feeling any first impression barriers or being misrepresented by other relay services. Thank you Mr. Sorenson for giving us complete access and feeling in control of our calls!”
Laura Thomas, Helen Keller National Center – Chicago Office

“Thank you so much for sending a [Sorenson] VP-100 to my brother. It was installed on Friday. [The installer] did an excellent job in instructing Benny and was extremely helpful to my understanding of the system. I have enjoyed talking to him via [the Sorenson] Video Relay Service. My brother and I have lived on different coasts our entire adult lives and on our yearly visits I have found it increasingly frustrating to communicate with him. His language is ASL. I guess I have always been able to communicate with him —either by writing, hand gestures, etc. But, I have NEVER been able to have a conversation with him...until the [Sorenson] VP-100.

[My brother] has deaf friends in California and New York and he has been able to call and talk to them (they all seem to already have VP-100s). He is so happy, almost ecstatic, about being able to see and talk to his lifelong deaf friends.

So thank you again. You have personally enriched [our] lives....THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.”
Sallie Rostad, Sorenson VRS Customer

This note was sent in following a Sorenson VRS donation in support of Deaflympic athletes:

“Greetings,
To all staff at Sorenson Media, Inc. - thank you for your generous support to all of us Olympic athletes at Melbourne 2005. We are doing our best to represent [the] USA. Wish us tons of luck!”
Jesse Woosley, recipient of a Sorenson VRS Deaflympic donation

This note was sent in following the release of our first newsletter:

“Good morning!
Just a quick note to say thank you for the [Messenger] newsletter--it answered several questions that I had not gotten around to asking that were lingering-- Well done and beneficial!!
Thank you!”
Joyce Patti, Sorenson VRS Messenger reader

The Sorenson VRS engineering team has worked hard this year to provide our customers with a better overall experience. We value the feedback we receive, and incorporate good ideas directly into product enhancements whenever possible. Some of the recent enhancements to Sorenson VRS are outlined below.

NEW MISSED CALL FEATURE

In January, new firmware was released for your Sorenson VP-100 that provides information to you when you have “Missed Calls” on your VP-100. This useful feature will allow you to know when you missed a call and obtain information about who called you. Complete information about this new feature is available at http://www.sorensonvrs.com/support/updates.php.

Sorenson VP-100 Tips and Tricks

Disadvantages of using “Always Answer Incoming Calls” or “Auto-Answer” Feature

Using the “Always Answer Incoming Calls” or “Auto-Answer” feature automatically answers your VP-100 whenever someone calls you. While this feature might be desirable in some situations, consider the following before deciding to use it.

Compromising Situations: Before you recognize an incoming call, the VP-100 may answer immediately connecting the caller to you with limited time to prepare. The person calling you could potentially see you in a compromising situation without your knowledge. Carefully consider this before using the “Always Answer Incoming Calls” feature in a home environment.

Prevents SignMail from Working: SignMail messages can only be left for you when your Sorenson VP-100 goes unanswered. When a hearing person attempts to call you through Sorenson VRS, the “Auto-Answer” feature answers your VP-100 which overrides SignMail. If SignMail is desired, remember that it will not work with “Auto-Answer” turned on.

Prevents Missed Calls Feature from Working: The “Missed Call” list is only available when calls are missed or unanswered on your Sorenson VP-100. The “Auto-Answer” feature actually answers incoming calls preventing the calls from being entered in the list, even when you are not there. If “Missed Call” notifications are desired, remember that it will not work with “Auto-Answer” turned on.

Rejecting Calls with Caller ID: When you receive an incoming call on your Sorenson VP-100, a caller ID is displayed showing the name of the person calling you and giving you the option to accept or reject the call. The “Auto-Answer” feature removes the ability to reject calls for any reason such as not knowing the caller, or a call coming at an inconvenient time.

Deactivation of the “Always Answer Incoming Calls” or “Auto-Answer” Feature

If you are using the “Auto-Answer” feature and would like to deactivate it, select the “Settings” button on the main screen, then select the “General” button, and deselect the checkbox corresponding to “Always Answer Incoming Calls.” The option is deselected when there is not an "X” in the checkbox.

Additional information about these features and all other features of the Sorenson VP-100 can be found in the Sorenson VRS User Guide, which is available for download at http://www.sorensonvrs.com/support/user_guides.php.

2005 DEAFLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

“November 23, 2004 – Sorenson Media today announced donations to individual student athletes to help with costs associated with participating in the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympic Games. … ‘All of us at USADSF are pleased to have Sorenson Media's support in reducing the fundraising burden for 16 athletes on the 2005 USA Deaflympic team,’ said Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, president of USADSF.

"We wish these individuals the best of luck at the Deaflympic Games in Melbourne and we are proud to have them represent our country,’ said Dave Johnson, vice president of sales at Sorenson Media.”

2007 DEAFLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

"February 17, 2005 – James Lee Sorenson presented Dwight Benedict, chair of the 2007 Deaflympic Winter Games Organizing Committee, with a check for $250,000 on behalf of Sorenson Media. The quarter-million dollar donation took place during a news conference called by Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. to announce that Utah has been selected as the site for the 16th Deaflympic Winter Games, an athletic and cultural gathering of the world’s deaf and hard-of-hearing that will draw hundreds of athletes and thousands of their fans to Utah, Feb. 1-10, 2007.

‘This generous donation from Sorenson Media will help Deaflympics put on a world-class sports competition and a premier cultural event,’ said Dwight Benedict, chair of the 2007 Deaflympic Winter Games Organizing Committee.’”

Where is Sorenson VRS headed next?
Sorenson VRS is ingrained in communities all over the country through deaf-based organizations, events, sponsorships and workshops. We are committed to the education of users on the features and benefits of the exclusive Sorenson VP-100 videophone. In the first quarter of 2005, we visited communities in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Troy, Flint, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Tampa, Miami, Arlington Heights, Fitchburg, Rochester, Buffalo, Utica, New York City, Lake Placid, Savannah, Salem, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Kansas City, Olathe, Seattle, Greensboro, Boston, Oakland, Fremont, Ventura, Macon, Santa Maria, Fresno and Northridge. For more information about Sorenson VRS events near you, visit the company section of our Web site at www.sorensonvrs.com/company/events and click on “Sponsorships and Events”.