{"id":7957,"date":"2009-10-04T20:29:14","date_gmt":"2009-10-05T01:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=7957"},"modified":"2009-10-05T03:54:40","modified_gmt":"2009-10-05T08:54:40","slug":"video-interpreting-to-provide-better-access-communication-to-hard-of-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/10\/04\/video-interpreting-to-provide-better-access-communication-to-hard-of-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Video interpreting to provide better access, communication to hard of hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video interpreting to provide better access, communication to hard of hearing<\/p>\n

by Kathleen Thurber
\nMidland Reporter-Telegram<\/p>\n

Published: Saturday, October 3, 2009<\/p>\n

With the help of a laptop and a webcam, patients who are hard of hearing who
\narrive at some emergency rooms no longer would have to wait for an
\ninterpreter to arrive and communicate what they’re experiencing.<\/p>\n

Through video remote interpreting, which is being introduced locally by
\nCommunication Axess Ability Group, citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing
\nwould be able to dial in, connect with an interpreter and communicate using
\nsign language to doctors, judges, teachers and others with the help of a
\ncomputer screen, said Rita Wedgeworth of CAAG.<\/p>\n

Similar video communication has existed for several years for deaf or hard
\nof hearing individuals making phone calls. They’re able to phone into an
\noperator through video services and then have the operator call a third
\nparty and act as the middle man by translating both ends of the
\nconversation.<\/p>\n

But, often in places like courtrooms, hospitals and other locations, those
\nneeding an interpreter on short notice may have to wait several hours as
\nthere’s not an abundance of locally-based certified American Sign Language
\ninterpreters with free time, Wedgeworth said.<\/p>\n

“We do see that there is a huge need in that area for additional
\ninterpreters,” she said, adding someone in a bind may have to wait several
\nhours for an interpreter to drive in from Lubbock or another city.<\/p>\n

To help ensure all patients will be able to communicate, Midland Memorial
\nHospital relies on two different companies to send sign language
\ninterpreters, said Public Relations Assistant Amanda Byrom.<\/p>\n

In other area hospitals, courtrooms or classrooms, though, Wedgeworth said
\nthe new program is meant to cut down on time wasted and costs charged to
\nclients who pay for the drive-time and interpreting services of individuals
\ncoming in.<\/p>\n

More than 3.8 million Texans or about 17 percent of the population are deaf
\nor hard of hearing, according to the Texas Department of Assistive and
\nRehabilitative Services. Nationwide, about 10 percent of the population
\nsuffer from hearing loss.<\/p>\n

In cities like Houston or Dallas, Wedgeworth said, there’s not usually an
\nissue finding an interpreter. By utilizing the video service, then, those in
\nMidland-Odessa or other more rural areas, who don’t have as many
\ninterpreters to call on, can utilize the resources of other cities.<\/p>\n

“What we’re finding is the interpreters there in the area aren’t available
\nbecause they’re already working somewhere,” Wedgeworth said.<\/p>\n

The constant access to an interpreter the system provides also is helpful
\nfor companies working to ensure they’re in compliance with the Americans
\nwith Disabilities Act, Wedgeworth said.<\/p>\n

Customers, whether individuals or businesses, can load a program onto their
\nlaptops and then using high-speed Internet and a Web camera can utilize the
\nservices, said Jerry Jahn, with CAAG, which is based in Houston but has an
\noffice in Midland.<\/p>\n

Places like the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf have long used
\nvideo relay services that allow individuals to make phone calls to others,
\nstaff said.<\/p>\n

This new service, CAAG staff said, expands on that technology by allowing
\nindividuals to connect with interpreters who can provide the help from their
\noffice or home and don’t necessarily have to be sitting in a call center.<\/p>\n

“It’s more real time,” Wedgeworth said. “It’s more like a live interpreting
\nsituation.”<\/p>\n

Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.<\/p>\n

On the Net:\u00a0 www.caag4.com<\/p>\n

Source:
\nhttp:\/\/www.mywesttexas.com\/articles\/2009\/10\/03\/news\/top_stories\/interpreting_service.txt<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[114,1255,1256,1259,1090,1260,34,24,1258,56,20,40,996,1257,69,191,39,650,102,61,605,553],"class_list":["post-7957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-ada","tag-caag","tag-camera","tag-classrooms","tag-communication-axess-ability-group","tag-courtrooms","tag-dars","tag-deaf","tag-department-of-assistive-and-rehabilitative-services","tag-hoh","tag-houston","tag-interpreter","tag-lubbock","tag-midland","tag-relay-service","tag-sign-language","tag-video","tag-video-relay-service","tag-video-remote-interpreting","tag-vrs","tag-webcam","tag-west-texas"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-24l","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16690,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2011\/11\/17\/deaf-hard-of-hearing-advocacy-awareness-night-%e2%80%93-san-marcos-kyle\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":0},"title":"Deaf & Hard of Hearing Advocacy Awareness Night \u2013 San Marcos-Kyle","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"November 17, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Deaf\/Hard of Hearing Advocacy Awareness Night \u2013 San Marcos-Kyle Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Listen up! Here are questions for you all. 1) Has your request for an accommodation (i.e., interpreter) to ensure effective communication been denied by your family doctor or local hospital? 2) For a municipal court, have interpreters\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33024,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2016\/03\/02\/star-vrs-closescaag-remains-strong\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":1},"title":"Star VRS Closes\/CAAG Remains Strong!","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"March 2, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Star VRS Closes\/CAAG Remains Strong! from STAR VRS on Vimeo. Star VRS Closes\/CAAG Remains Strong!\u00a0 Link to Star VRS Letter to the FCC: http:\/\/apps.fcc.gov\/ecfs\/comment\/view?id=60001493690 Contact the FCC about your concerns: 844-432-2275 Star VRS Customer Care: 855-877-2224 or vrscare@caag4.com Convo Support: 510-629-5622 or help@convorelay.com Global VRS: 877-326-5457 [Video Description: Jeremy Jack,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":30319,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2015\/03\/25\/job-opportunity-deafness-resource-specialist-midland\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":2},"title":"Job Opportunity: Deafness Resource Specialist – Midland","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"March 25, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Job Opportunity: Deafness Resource Specialist Posted: 03\/24\/2015 Communication Axess Ability Group (CAAG) is inviting resumes for the position of Deafness Resource Specialist (DeafnessRS) located in our Midland, Texas office. Summary: The purpose of the Deafness Resource Specialist is to facilitate access to services of federal, state and local governments, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3594,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2008\/06\/27\/viable-and-sign-shares-team-up-to-provide-video-relay-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":3},"title":"Viable and Sign Shares Team Up to Provide Video Relay Services","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"June 27, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Glenn Lockhart Viable, Inc. 240.292.0222 x227 contact@viable.net http:\/\/www.viable.net Deborah Gunter Sign Shares 866-787-4154 dgunter@signshares.com http:\/\/www.signshares.com Viable and Sign Shares Team Up to Provide Video Relay Services Houston, TX -- June 26, 2008 -- Viable, Inc., a provider of video relay services (VRS) for the deaf and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6760,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/06\/17\/trainings-for-2009-texas-interpreter-education-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":4},"title":"Trainings for 2009 – Texas Interpreter Education Series","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"June 17, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Trainings for 2009 - Texas Interpreter Education Series DARS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services will present these trainings on issues of importance to people who are deaf and hard of hearing through November. Attendees are encouraged to register early. Trainings topics and dates are: * Interpreter Skills Training Development\u2014\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8212,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/10\/23\/interpreter-job-fair-workshop-houston\/","url_meta":{"origin":7957,"position":5},"title":"Interpreter Job Fair & Workshop – Houston","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 23, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Interpreter Job Fair & Workshop-Houston DATE: 11\/13\/09 TIME: 5:00-9:00 pm ADDRESS: 9191 Barker Cypress Road Cypress, Texas WEBSITE: http:\/\/ghid.tsid.org\/LSCJobFair.pdf Hi! We are having a job fair and an interpreter workshop at Lone Star College-CyFair on Friday, November 13th. These events are FREE!!! 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