Dr. Z discussed this subject a year ago and he is bringing this back to remind us all how important is it for us to communicate effectively with our video interpreters (VI) for a successful VRS call.

This is Part 3 of 3. The seventh through tenth of 10 items are covered in this vlog/blog. Those steps are outlined below:

7.
 If
 you 
find 
the 
interpreter 
does 
not 
understand
 you
 very 
well 
due
 to 
a 
bad
 connection,
 don’t
 waste 
time 
repeating 
things. 
It 
is 
much 
simpler
 to 
hang 
up 
and 
re‐dial.
 





8. 
Plain, 
solid 
colored
 clothing
 (no 
plaids 
or 
patterns)
 helps 
make 
communication 
clearer
 and
 video
 quality 
better.
 
 




9.
 Thank
 the 
interpreter 
at 
the 
end
 of 
your 
call. 
Showing 
your 
appreciation 
helps 
to 
make
 them
 feel
 good 
about
 their 
job. 
After
 all,
 where
 would 
VRS 
be 
without 
interpreters?
 




10. 
Smile, 
smile,
 smile! 
This
 will
 make 
the
 interpreter’s 
day
…
and
 your 
day, 
too!
 


For the complete list of 10 steps, click on this link

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.

Dr. Z discussed this subject a year ago and he is bringing this back to remind us all how important is it for us to communicate effectively with our video interpreters (VI) for a successful VRS call.

This is Part 2 of 3. The fourth through sixth of 10 items are covered in this vlog/blog. Those steps are outlined below:

4. Be sure there is adequate lighting in your room—not too bright, not too dark.

5. Be sure you are an appropriate distance from the camera. Use the “three little bears” test: not too far, not too close … just right!

6. If you choose to announce the call yourself, just say something simple like, “This is (your name). Because I am deaf, I am using a sign language interpreter over the phone to make this call.” If this confuses the other party, ask the interpreter to announce the call. For people you have called
through VRS before, it is still a good idea to say, “This is (your name). I am talking to you through a sign language interpreter.”

For the complete list of 10 steps, click on this link

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.

Dr. Z discussed this subject a year ago and he is bringing this back to remind us all how important is it for us to communicate effectively with our video interpreters (VI) for a successful VRS call.

This is Part 1 of 3. The first 3 of 10 items are covered in this vlog/blog. The 3 steps are outlined below:

1. Sign numbers and spell letters/names more slowly than you would in a normal conversation. (This small change makes a big difference in clarity.)

2. Before calling airlines, credit card companies or banks, it is helpful to provide the confirmation, credit card and/or account numbers before the video interpreter places the call. (It’s also a good idea to verify the information once before the call.)

3. Verify that the video interpreter can see your name on their screen. It usually appears there, but if it does not, spell your name before the call is made.

For the complete list of 10 steps, click on this link
.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.

We deaf and hard of hearing consumers use video for communication everyday in addition to our pagers and other means.

When we communicate with hearing people, we use the video relay service, such as ZVRS and we depend on the video interpreters (VIs) to facilitate the calls for us. We often forget they are there–they are like us, they have a job, families and live in the community among us.

Dr. Z wants to ask all of us to take the time to think of them and thank them for their good and hard work. So let’s thank them after every call during “Make a VI Happy Week”- August 15-21, 2010. That will make their day!

With that, Dr. Z will begin a series of “10 Steps for More Effective VRS Communication”, with 3 blogs and vlogs soon.

Thank you–all the VIs out there!!! We care about you.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.