Author Archives: pbravin

Z4 Mobile for Apple iOS-A New Version from the Z!

Sean Berdy, star of “Switched at Birth” said it on Z’s YouTube video–“Get a Z Life!” (link to video)

Why? The new version of Z4 Mobile for iOS is a whopper! It does almost everything–from making VRS calls, point to point calls to other VP including the VP-200, changing your profile, changing your contacts, setting up 1Number, viewing ZVRS’ YouTube videos and more! All on a mobile device. Also, this software supports the iPad2 as well. It holds contacts from both your device as well as the ZVRS “My Contacts.”

You have to try it to better understand where Dr. Z is coming from. This is a complete app for the mobile world. When you open the app up, you get right to the dialer screen and dial a call right from there, or you can dial from a contact list.

Like Sean Berdy says, Get a Z Life! and Be Connected!

Click here to download Z4 Mobile.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.

Editorial #98: Is New Technology Accessible for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing?

There are technology developments that make communication accessible such as VRS—but there is also technology that does not make things accessible such as voice recognition.

Voice recognition is when someone speaks to a device and the device understands what is spoken into it. It seems cool, but many of us deaf people do not have perfect speech and those devices won’t be able to understand us and then would not be useful.

There are some cool software products out there but to use it you have to be able to speak. Then we deaf people cannot use such products because some of us cannot speak as clearly as others.

Technology can go both ways–it can make life easier, and it can limit our lives. So we need to be on the lookout for such things and raise our voice when such things limit our ability to use those devices.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z (Philip Bravin) is currently the Vice-President of Marketing at CSDVRS, LLC.

Editorial #97: FCC: Too Many Filings and Comments

There is a lot of filings and comments on the FCC website related to VRS. It is painstaking to try to read and digest all of these. All this is a result of the FCC’s attempts to reform the VRS industry and this is only the beginning. Whenever the FCC issues an order, people file requests for reconsideration, requests for extensions, requests for waivers, ex parte notices and all that to get what they think is needed.

The dust is all over and it is far from settled. This is not intended as a criticism to the FCC–reform is needed, but it is hard when there are so many players in the game. The FCC has yet to issue proposed rules for compensation of VRS service. The FCC has a full plate because it is also looking at Universal Service Fund reform and internet reform, both of which have an effect on VRS.

Bottom line–we must be vigilant to be sure that all those new rules and orders do not change the VRS experience we enjoy today.

Here are the links to the FCC website for the information mentioned above:

TRS/VRS Headlines
Filings for Proceeding 03-123
Filings for Proceeding 10-51

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z is currently the Vice-President of Marketing at CSDVRS, LLC.

Editorial #96: What Should You Look for in a Video Interpreter?

We often forget the role of a video interpreter (VI) when making VRS calls, and sometimes take them for granted.

Dr. Z wants to remind each and everyone of you to remember they are the key messengers (or facilitators) for all calls we make through a relay service.

They have a difficult job because they do not know what kind of calls come up the moment a call comes in–it can be anything from a simple pizza order to sharing news of a birth of a baby to handling a 911 call–all as part of their work schedule and to do it every working day.

They need to maintain their composure in difficult situations and remain as “neutral” as possible.

They have to be able to handle spelling of names and geographic locations which they may not be familiar with.

They have to be able to handle differences in regional signs–the sign for “circus” or “birthday” differs in all parts of the country.

They have to be able to handle differing communication styles of deaf and hard of hearing people.

They sometimes have to handle difficult consumers who make calls.

And to do it every day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Let’s show our appreciation for them by saying “Thank you” with a smile at the end of every call.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z (Philip Bravin) is currently the Vice-President of Marketing at CSDVRS, LLC.

Think Twice or Watch Out for the Sorenson ntouch VP–Get a Z-20 Instead

Sorenson is at it again with the ntouch VP.

For point to point calls where one needs to leave a message, the ntouch VP can ONLY receive messages left by Sorenson phones while with the Z-20, it can receive messages left by any videophone including the VP-200. Dr. Z cares about functional equivalence and this is not functional equivalence.

Think twice before signing up for the ntouch VP. With the Z-20, you don’t have to think twice.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.

You Don’t Need a Remote Control or a TV with a Free Z-20

Know what? The Z-20 from ZVRS is now FREE!

With a Z-20 you do not need a remote control or a television to make videophone calls.

It has a built-in screen and the keypad is within arm’s reach. To make a call, just press the keys on the keypad, and off you go!

Your phone directory resides on the web and is downloaded to the Z-20.

You do not have to spell out your social securiy number or account number to the video interpreter–just use the keys on the keypad!

You do not have to give up your TV to make a video call–you can use your Z-20 alongside your computer while calling.

It’s time to make a change-get a Z-20!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.

Let’s Compare: The Z vs. Sorenson

When you shop for a car, do you go to one dealer and buy just the car the dealer offers? Or do you go to several dealers and do comparison shopping before you decide?

Dr. Z thinks you should do the same with videophones (hardware/software and services). You need to do comparison shopping before you make your decision.

Dr. Z and his colleague, Lisa put together a video that does just that. Comparing Z product and services with those of Sorenson based on specifications as of October 1st. Dre. Z is confident that after you view the video, you will be in a better position to make a decision.

Her’s the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-6DkwPVnqU

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.

Editorial #95: FCC: Decision Time for White-Label Providers

There has been a lot of filings on the FCC website related to VRS. A lot of white-label providers are filing applications for certification.

Why?

The FCC has decided that in order to provide VRS services, a provider must be certified. It is not good enough to be a subcontractor to a certified VRS company. Many of these subcontractors or affiliates are called “white-label” providers. The “white-label” providers are not certified so after October 1st or thereabouts, they will not be allowed to provide VRS services unless they are certified or waived by the FCC temporarily to provide VRS services.

A certified provider must employ (and not contract) with interpreters and they must own, or lease the platform they use to provide VRS services. There are other requirements for certification.

So, by October 1st or around that time, you may or may not be able to access some of your VRS providers. Dr. Z wants you to be aware that it is a possibility.

If that happens, you will need to call a certified VRS provider such as ZVRS to make a call. ZVRS is not the only certified provider–there are others out there.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z is currently the Vice-President of Marketing at CSDVRS, LLC.

It’s Here!-1Number and Z Box from ZVRS

The people at ZVRS worked so hard to make it happen and this is our new pride and joy—1Number and Z Box!

What is it?

1Number

With 1Number™, people can use a single phone number to call you and the call will reach you simultaneously at up to four Z videophone products and/or your VP-200®.

Simply choose one of your Z phone numbers as your primary number, then select up to three other videophones to be tied to your new 1Number™.

When someone makes a call to your 1Number, all of the videophones you selected will ring at the same time. Likewise, when you answer the call on ANY of the selected videophones, the others will stop “ringing,” as well.

Once you have set up 1Number, you can give out just the primary phone number for people to reach you at ANY of your selected videophones.

Here’s the link to more information on 1Number.

Z Box

Z Box is a terminal adapter that works with a flash alert notification system. It connects between your computer’s router and the flash alert notification transmitter, allowing your flash alert notification receivers (such as lamps) to signal when you have incoming calls.

Here’s the link to more information on Z Box.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.

Coming Soon-1Number and Z Box from ZVRS

Dr. Z is a factual person, he does not really want to use his consultative role to “tease”–but he is making a rare exception to do so.

ZVRS will have a momentous launch. One of the most revolutionary products/service ever to hit the VRS/VP market–1Number and Z Box. It will be launched on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 10 a.m.

This is all the information Dr. Z can share at this time. The beta test results got everyone very excited and everyone at ZVRS is excited about rolling out this product/service.

Coming soon…

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is an employee with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Marketing.