Why Choose SVRS?
Choosing a Default Provider
All deaf and hard-of-hearing VRS users must choose a default VRS provider. The choice is completely up to you — you decide who has the best features and services that meet your needs.
Between April 1 and June 30, 2009, VRS users who have not chosen a default VRS provider will still be able to make videophone calls. After June 30, 2009, all deaf VRS users must have selected a default VRS provider to be able to continue making videophone calls other than 911 calls.
What will my default VRS provider provide?
Your default VRS provider will provide your real number, VRS equipment support, and VRS services and features. A deaf user's chosen VRS provider will support that user's videophone equipment and route all the user's deaf-to-hearing and hearing-to-deaf calls through the provider's VRS system.
There are some important things to remember about choosing a default VRS provider:
- You can obtain a real number from any provider
- You can switch providers, and take your real number with you, at any time
- You can make and receive calls through any VRS provider, independent of who you have chosen as your default provider
- Use of VRS equipment is not conditional on continued use of provider as default provider
Why Choose Sorenson?
The simple answer is that choosing Sorenson means you will continue to receive:
- Leading edge technology
- Highest-quality professional interpreters
- The best personalized technical and customer service available
Other important reasons to choose Sorenson include:
A Free Videophone
Sorenson was the first company to design a videophone specifically for the deaf and to provide it to all deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals for free. In the future, as new options for making SVRS calls are introduced, you will continue to benefit from choosing Sorenson as your VRS provider.
Complete Support
Choosing Sorenson means that you can rely on us for industry-leading videophone equipment and complete support services.
A Local and Direct VP Number
Choosing Sorenson means that you can get both a local 10-digit number and a toll-free Direct VP number. This "best-of-both-worlds" option from Sorenson means you benefit from having two ways for people to contact you. You choose how to use each number. Sorenson also gives you the option to print personalized Contact Cards (click here) that you can give to your hearing contacts.
Enhanced 911 Calling Services from the Industry Leader
Choosing Sorenson means that by keeping your address information up-to-date, you know that Sorenson has the information needed to send emergency services to your location as quickly as possible when you dial 911. Sorenson has handled more 911 calls than all other VRS providers combined and continues to lead the industry in 911 calling services.
Choosing Sorenson as your default provider means that you will continue to use and enjoy the full range of features provided by the VP-200 videophone. We call this full-range of features "Sorenson Gold Services." Click here to learn more about Gold Services.
Using Sorenson VRS Every Time You Dial
Even if you don't choose Sorenson as your default provider you can connect to Sorenson VRS any time you make a VRS call by dialing CALL.SVRS.TV on your device. Anytime you dial Sorenson VRS, you'll be using the highest-quality professional interpreters that are available. You'll also be able to request:
Sorenson VRS Español
Sorenson Trilingual interpreters are available through a dedicated URL for videophone users and through a special toll-free number for hearing callers. You will communicate in ASL to the interpreter who will relay your conversation in Spanish with your hearing contact.
To directly access a Trilingual Video Interpreter from the videophone you use, dial Rapidovrs.tv. You'll be quickly connected to the next available trilingual video interpreter.
Hearing callers can reach a Spanish speaking trilingual interpreter by calling (866) 9-VRSLATINO (866) 987-7528. This call will be a free call for both your hearing caller and you.
Sorenson VRS with Voice Carry Over (SVRS with VCO)
If you want to use your own voice to speak to the hearing people you call using Sorenson VRS, you can use the "Voice Carry Over" (VCO) feature. During a SVRS-VCO call, the Sorenson interpreter relays the hearing person's part of the conversation in ASL to you while you speak using your own voice.
To be able to make Sorenson VRS-VCO calls, a standard voice telephone or cell phone must be available near the Sorenson videophone. Your Sorenson interpreter will call your voice phone before calling the hearing person whom you wish to contact.
