Author Archives: pbravin

Here Now! The All New Z Mobile for iOS and Z Desktop

Here it is!

The best mobile and desktop stuff for video communication!

ZVRS has partnered with a group of deaf developers to develop the user interface and software for our new flagship products for the iPhone, iPad, PC and Mac.

We started earlier this year, identifying what would be the easiest way to do video communication. We wanted something so easy so simple to use, requiring the lowest number of clicks to do what we wanted to do-resulting in simple, easy to navigate screens. It is something ZVRS IS VERY PROUD OF!

The software will be ready to download in a few weeks. The Android version will be available this fall.

Here are the links to our website on those new products:

Z Mobile for Apple iOS

Z Desktop

Enjoy! It is so easy, so simple…#soeasysosimple!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

The Best is to Come!

Coming soon!!!

Dr. Z took a peek at what will be launched next week at the NAD conference.

He is excited!

No hints…but the only thing he can say this represents a new transformation in how we communicate using video.

Details will be posted on the ZVRS website (www.zvrs.com) after the launch takes place.

Stay tuned!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Editorial #112: Do You Still Get an Interpreter When You Try To Call a Deaf Person?

We thought this would not happen anymore–after the FCC ruling on numbering went into effect over a year ago.

Dr. Z has been hearing that this continues to happen, especially with Sorenson VP-200 users. If someone with a non-Sorenson unit tries to call a VP-200 user, the phone goes to an interpreter instead of the deaf person. This happens not with every VP-200 user but certain VP-200 users who don’t realize what the situation is because they call only other Sorenson users.

How does this happen? This happens when the VP-200 phone number was never registered with the national (ITRS) data base. If someone calls from a non-Sorenson phone, it always checks the ITRS data base–if the phone number is not there, it then goes to an interpreter.

What should the VP-200 user do? They should notify Sorenson to have their phone registered on the ITRS data base. When that happens, then the call from a non-Sorenson user will ring that phone instead of going to an interpreter.

If any of you get an interpreter instead of a deaf person, call ZVRS Customer Service at 866.932.7891 and they will help you resolve this.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

The Big Apple Announcement–Anything New for Video on the iPhone and iPad?

Apple rolled out a lot of new stuff the other day.

The iPhone and iPad have software on it that keeps those units running. It is called “iOS”. OS means “operating system.” The current version is iOS 5 and the one that Apple rolled out is iOS 6. iOS 6 will not be available until the fall. Your iPhone or iPad will automatically upgrade to iOS 6 when it is ready.

What does iOS 6 have for video communication? Not much. The only thing they improved was allowing FaceTime to run under a cellular environment (3G, 4G). Right now, before iOS 6 you can use FaceTime only if you have WiFi coverage. With iOS 6, you will be able to use FaceTime in WiFi AND 3G OR 4G environments.

FaceTime is only for point to point calls with others who have Apple mobile units, not for relay calls.

This is the only thing Apple had for us deaf and hard of hearing people for video communication.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Dr. Z on the iPad Home Button–Useful Stuff

Dr. Z in talking with some people who use an iPad was surprised to learn that many do not realize the simple button, called the “Home” button at the bottom of an iPad, has many different features, depending on how you press the button. The link to the iMore.com website has good stuff on the “Home” button.

Pressing it once:

If your iPad is sleeping and you click the Home button it will wake up and ask you to slide to unlock.
If you’re in an app like Safari, Mail, Angry Birds, etc. and you click the Home Button you’ll return to the Home screen with all your app icons.
If you’re on your second or third Home screen and click the Home button you’ll return to your main (first) Home Screen.
If you’re on your main (first) Home screen and click the Home Button you’ll go to Spotlight Search.

More information on the iMore.com link.

Pressing it twice:

If your iPad is sleeping but playing music or media (video) (Music app, a video, etc.) and you double click the Home button, the media controls will pop up on the lock screen so you can pause/play, skip, etc.
If you’re on the Home Screen or using an app and you double click the Home button the Fast App Switcher will open so you can quickly change between apps or swipe over to the audio, brightness, orientation lock/mute button, and other widget controls.

Swipe means you move the icons on the bottom to your left or right by sliding your finger on the screen. There’s more information such as pressing it three times, pressing and holding it, or pressing it and holidng the sleep/wake button on the top right of your iPad. Such information is at this link.

Dr. Z will continue to write up more information like this. (do not forget to try ZVRS by dialing 888-888-1116 for relay calls.)

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Which VRS Provider Should You Choose and Why?

When making a VRS call, you want to be sure the call is handled smoothly and in a professional manner, and at the same time you remain in full control of the call.

First, you want the interpreter to acknowledge getting the phone number you want to call with a SMILE!

Second, the interpreter will respect your request to announce (to explain that the caller is a deaf hard of hearing person and that he/she is using sign language to communicate) or not to announce the call

Third, the interpreter is able to follow your signing and will ask you to clarify if he/she doesn’t understand you

Fourth, if the bank or credit card company asks for your credit card number, you just need to press the numbers on the keypad without having to spell it out to the interpreter

Fifth, after completing a call, you want to call someone, you can ask the interpreter to look at your contacts list and you can ask them to “call Mom” or whoever is on the list, without having to look up the number yourself.

Finally, after concluding the call session, the interpreter signs off with a smile!

Who has all those benefits? ZVRS has them all! Try us, you will like us! How? Call to make a relay call at 888-888-1116 and you will love us!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Editorial #111: Deaf Lawyers and Hearing Lawyers Dealing with the FCC

We have heard the expression “deaf people are experts at being deaf.”

In any event, Dr. Z has made an observation.

When dealing with hearing people, it is usually better for a deaf or hard of hearing person to explain situations related to how they need to deal with things as a result of their hearing and communication differences rather than deferring to a hearing person to do it for them.

In dealing with the FCC, VRS companies use lawyers or representatives in various meetings and discussions with the FCC on various issues related to VRS.

What is interesting is the following:

– ZVRS has Jeff Rosen, a deaf lawyer representing them
– Convo has David Behar, a deaf representative and a former congressional legislative assistant representing them
– Purple has Kelby Brick, a deaf lawyer representing them
– Snap has Nancy Bloch, a deaf representative and a former executive director of the National Association of the Deaf representing them

We all can figure out by now that the largest VRS provider, Sorenson, is conspicuously absent from the above list. They have a bunch of hearing lawyers from a law firm working with them in addition to an in house regulatory person who is hearing too.

Can a hearing person explain and defend how VRS is best for us deaf and hard of hearing folks? You decide.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Editorial #110: Certified Interpreters or Not? Why are Non-Certified Interpreters Screaming at the FCC?

Something strange is happening.

There have been more comments than usual on the FCC comments page related to VRS. They have been coming from non-certified interpreters trying to protect their jobs with some VRS providers, Sorenson for one. (Link to FCC comments)

First of all, would you go to a doctor that is not licensed by your state and allow the non-licensed doctor to examine you and prescribe medicine for you?

This is why we have licensing and certification. While is is not 100% foolproof, it offers us a level of confidence that those professionals whom have at least been reviewed for their competency to work with us all.

Then the VRS providers review and evaluate the interpreters once again to be sure they can do the tough work that comes with VRS interpreting.

What about those non-certified interpreters? Some of them get training, some of them just graduated from school. They are evaluated by their respective VRS companies and placed to work if the VRS providers feel they can do the job.

One of the issues being brought up is national vs. state certification. Is one better than the other? Some states have better certification processes than the other, but with VRS we do not know in which state the VRS interpreter is working when we make such a call. This is why the FCC is asking questions about national certification for interpreters.

Why are non-certified interpreters allowed to do it; bypassing the certification process that is in place to insure we deaf and hard of hearing consumers have the protection and level of confidence in the profession of interpreting? It is like allowing non-licensed doctors to perform procedures.

Where does this leave us as deaf and heard of hearing consumers?

Dr. Z says we deserve the best, using certified interpreters. We should not be at the mercy of non-certified interpreters. We deserve the legal and professional protection offered as part of the certification process.

ZVRS goes on record–using only certified interpreters. You can call ZVRS 888-888-1116 to see for yourself as to how much of a difference a certified interpreter is.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Dr. Z on Having Fun with Your iPad–“Evernote”

One of the useful apps Dr. Z uses on his iPad is an app called “Evernote”. It is FREE and you can download it from the Apple app store.

After you download it, you can use it to save everything you need — PDF documents, clips from websites, bookmarks, etc.

When you need something, just go to Evernote and search for it–it will find the information you need.

For example, if you save a PDF file with “Costco” in it; and you do a search on Evernote, it will locate that PDF file.

Evernote is available on a PC, Mac, web, iPhone/iPad and Android and you can get the same info after entering your userid/password from any of these devices–so you are never away from the information you saved!

Here’s a video you can watch and it is captioned! (video link)

Dr. Z will continue this series with different apps.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.

Dr. Z on How He Selects Apps for his iPad

Dr. Z has a LOT of apps on his iPad.

But he uses about 20 of them most of the time–the rest he checks and evaluates for his “patients” who come to him for advice all over the country. Most of the apps he uses are free.

The basic criteria he uses is that the app must have “backup” capability in the “cloud”. This means, if he loses his iPad or the iPad crashes, he can access the same information from his computer through the web. What good would it be if you cannot access the information if you lose it. Also, he protects his iPad with a passcode that he sets up using the “Settings” icon. Some apps have another password to protect other people from accessing the app. So there are 2 levels of protection–never use the same code for the passcode and the password! And remember those codes!

The top apps he uses are:

1) Evernote – which allows you to clip anything off the web and save it. It makes it very easy for you to search anything you clip off the web.

2) Toodledo – which is a task and todo manager. Dr. Z is by nature a not very organized person – Toodledo keeps him on track as much as possible (not 100%). The app is good only if he checks it. It also sends him reminders for some tasks, such as taking medicine.

3) Pocket – which saves articles on the web for reading later. You can read such articles offline when on the plane or the like.

4) Appzilla – which has about 50 mini apps for different things that you never thought of.

5) Skitch – which allows you to draw things and send them on, with or without pictures you take.

More to come–have fun!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.