Video interpreting to provide better access, communication to hard of hearing
by Kathleen Thurber
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Saturday, October 3, 2009
With the help of a laptop and a webcam, patients who are hard of hearing who
arrive at some emergency rooms no longer would have to wait for an
interpreter to arrive and communicate what they’re experiencing.
Through video remote interpreting, which is being introduced locally by
Communication Axess Ability Group, citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing
would be able to dial in, connect with an interpreter and communicate using
sign language to doctors, judges, teachers and others with the help of a
computer screen, said Rita Wedgeworth of CAAG.
Similar video communication has existed for several years for deaf or hard
of hearing individuals making phone calls. They’re able to phone into an
operator through video services and then have the operator call a third
party and act as the middle man by translating both ends of the
conversation.
But, often in places like courtrooms, hospitals and other locations, those
needing an interpreter on short notice may have to wait several hours as
there’s not an abundance of locally-based certified American Sign Language
interpreters with free time, Wedgeworth said.
“We do see that there is a huge need in that area for additional
interpreters,” she said, adding someone in a bind may have to wait several
hours for an interpreter to drive in from Lubbock or another city.
To help ensure all patients will be able to communicate, Midland Memorial
Hospital relies on two different companies to send sign language
interpreters, said Public Relations Assistant Amanda Byrom.
In other area hospitals, courtrooms or classrooms, though, Wedgeworth said
the new program is meant to cut down on time wasted and costs charged to
clients who pay for the drive-time and interpreting services of individuals
coming in.
More than 3.8 million Texans or about 17 percent of the population are deaf
or hard of hearing, according to the Texas Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services. Nationwide, about 10 percent of the population
suffer from hearing loss.
In cities like Houston or Dallas, Wedgeworth said, there’s not usually an
issue finding an interpreter. By utilizing the video service, then, those in
Midland-Odessa or other more rural areas, who don’t have as many
interpreters to call on, can utilize the resources of other cities.
“What we’re finding is the interpreters there in the area aren’t available
because they’re already working somewhere,” Wedgeworth said.
The constant access to an interpreter the system provides also is helpful
for companies working to ensure they’re in compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, Wedgeworth said.
Customers, whether individuals or businesses, can load a program onto their
laptops and then using high-speed Internet and a Web camera can utilize the
services, said Jerry Jahn, with CAAG, which is based in Houston but has an
office in Midland.
Places like the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf have long used
video relay services that allow individuals to make phone calls to others,
staff said.
This new service, CAAG staff said, expands on that technology by allowing
individuals to connect with interpreters who can provide the help from their
office or home and don’t necessarily have to be sitting in a call center.
“It’s more real time,” Wedgeworth said. “It’s more like a live interpreting
situation.”
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at [email protected].
On the Net: www.caag4.com
Source:
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/03/news/top_stories/interpreting_service.txt