Video Relay Services and F.C.C.
By Leonard Hall

Several years ago, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington D.C. approved funding for a new source of telecommunication for deaf and hard of hearing people to use – Video Relay Service (VRS).

Deaf people can call a VRS provider on a web-cam device through Internet, and an interpreter (communication assistant) will appear on screen for the deaf people to sign in his native sign language to make a phone call to a third party.

Instead of using the TTY to type messages to the relay operator through the TTY relay service, the deaf people will communicate by sign language through the interpreter to provide voice communication with a third party on the telephone.

Many deaf people in personal and employment situations use the VRS as a critical communication tool in making phone calls to hearing people.

Due to VRS, many thousands of deaf people have switched from using TTY relay services to VRS causing a major increase in demand for VRS.

One difference between using the TTY on the relay service and interpreter on the VRS is that using VRS is much faster than in typing on the TTY though the relay service. Some deaf people do not have good English or typing skills to communicate well on the TTY.

The higher cost of using a qualified interpreter in the top tier of Level 4 and 5 that can easily run $30 per hour or more for VRS as compared to $12 per hour for a regular operator for TTY relay service.

When FCC approved funding for VRS, VRS providers immediately set up VRS centers across the country causing a major problem with the supply of qualified interpreters. In Kansas City area, two VRS providers set up call center employing a total of 40 to 60 qualified level 4 & 5 interpreters during the week.

There were only 90 or more qualified level 4 & 5 interpreters in the Kansas City area. The hospitals, police departments, local government, and other organizations in the area are having a hard time finding qualified interpreters upon short notice of one or two days for deaf people.

The waiting list for interpreters has grown to one week or several weeks. I went to an Olathe Medical Center walk-in clinic for a ringing ear problem on a Saturday afternoon and was referred to the Olathe Medical Center emergency room because the only available interpreter working was at the hospital.

There is a major need for interpreter training programs to make up for the significant interpreter shortages caused by VRS call centers. FCC is now reviewing proposed reduction in funding for VRS.

VRS providers need more fund to invest in training and development of more qualified interpreters. Deaf people are encouraged to send their comments to Chairman Kevin Martin at the FCC.

(Leonard Hall writes a weekly column for the deaf community and can be reached at Legalnetwk@aol.com.)