Category Archives: Editorials/Guest Blogs

Editorial #116: Interoperability–Can VP’s talk to Other VP’s? Gallaudet Did a Study

What is “interoperability”?

It means for VRS that “devices from different vendors and providers work with each other.”

Gallaudet’s Technology Access Program did some research and made a presentation at the recent NAD conference. In doing the research, they set up a lab and did over 800 calls between devices from all VRS providers. Some VRS providers were better than others and Dr. Z has included a link to part of their presentation below:

Excerpt of NAD Presentation on Interoperability (summary-brief document)

Full Version NAD Presentation on Interoperability (technical-huge document)

We understand that the FCC has looked into this issue and it is Dr. Z’s hope that all VP’s (videophones) will be able to communicate with other VP’s like hearing people have with their cell phones.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z is currently the Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach at CSDVRS, LLC.

Editorial #115: FCC: Free 800/866 Numbers for VRS Will End November 21, 2012

***SINCE THIS IS STILL HAPPENING, DR. Z IS REMINDING EVERYONE ABOUT THIS. THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS EDITORIAL #102. THANKS. ****

Dr. Z is still seeing people use 866 numbers and giving them to their friends, relatives and doctors.

Dr. Z wants to remind everyone that FREE 800/866 numbers for VRS will stop on November 21, 2012. All VRS providers have been asked by the FCC to stop servicing 800/866 numbers on that date.

If you want to keep your 800/866 numbers, you will have to pay a monthly fee.

IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE TO A LOCAL NUMBER, YOUR DOCTORS, YOUR RELATIVES AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE YOUR 800/866 NUMBER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTACT YOU!

What should you do? Just give out your local number, instead of your 800/866 number. Local numbers are free.

In the next few weeks, ZVRS will make a list available of who you need to contact to service your 800/866 numbers for a monthly fee.

Here’s the link to the FCC web page on this subject.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclaimer: Dr. Z is currently the Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach at CSDVRS, LLC.

Editorial #114: Using Your Mobile Device on Vacation

Now that summer vacation time is around–you all are most likely aware from home and not tugging along your hard-wired VP with you when you are on the road.

What is the alternative? Your mobile device (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android) with the Z4 software loaded onto them is a great solution. Some of you may be taking your laptops–you can have Z4 loaded onto those as well!

For those devices with wifi, you are limited to using them when you are near a wifi hotspot such as a hotel or restaurant.

For those of you with a mobile device with 4G capabilities, you can use video while the car is moving as a PASSENGER-not as the DRIVER. Dr. Z has conducted meetings using his mobile phone in a car as a passenger using 4G! Be mindful–most 4G have data plans that have a 2GB cap–which is about 2-3 hours of mobile video communication per MONTH.

Dr. Z has found that 4G with a good signal to be more reliable than wifi due to the steadiness of the signal.

Enjoy mobile video!!

How to use wifi with Z? Download Z4 for PC and Mac, iOS (Apple) and Android (click the links.)

Look for the NEW Z Mobile for iOS and Z Desktop for PC and Mac in a few weeks!

Happy traveling from Dr. Z!

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 #113: Dr. Z on the Latest in WiFi and 4G in Public Places

This is an update of Editorial #106 on the subject of wifi in public places. In the span of a few months some things have changed and Dr. Z wants to bring you up to date on using wifi or 4G in public places.

The good news is that we have an alternative to wifi which works well with video–it is 4G or 4G LTE (“4G”). If you see “4G” on your phone, it will do video better than “3G”. In some situations, 4G will work better than wifi. This was not true several months ago. 4G is not everywhere, but the phone companies are continuing to add 4G all over the country–we will see many more areas with 4G later this year.

The only issue with 4G is that video communication uses a lot of data and it can go against your monthly 2GB cap or whatever your cap is. With wifi, there’s no cap.

Hotels: they have started to become a bit better. Some offer a separate tier (higher price) for video connections. Hotel lobby and conference rooms sometimes are better than rooms because the signal is stronger in those areas. Some rooms are near the end of buildings which offer weak signals.

Airports: About the same. Use of Boingo, a paid service is reliable. Some airports offer free wifi, but not all can handle video

Airplanes: Dr. Z has used Southwest and Delta wifi in planes. Both do not offer video and even with regular web browsing its SLOW!

Barnes and Noble: Not reliable for video, some locations better than others.

Starbucks: Fairly reliable for video, some locations better than others.

Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread: Not used there enough to give you an opinion.

How to use wifi with Z? Download Z4 for PC and Mac, iOS (Apple) and Android (click the links.)

Look for the NEW Z Mobile for iOS and Z Desktop for PC and Mac in a few weeks!

Happy traveling from Dr. Z!

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 #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.

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.

Editorial #109: Interesting Survey Information from VRSCA

VRSCA (Video Relay Services Consumer Association) is a communication forum for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and hearing persons who use Video Relay Services (VRS). It is Dr. Z’s understanding they are funded by Sorenson. They recently provided some survey information to the FCC that Dr. Z found interesting and is sharing with you all in this post. There were 900 responses to the survey which was done in March, 2012. Some of the info below is copied verbatim from the survey.

On the question of where one uses VRS:

95% use VRS in their home.
19% use VRS in their office.
13% responded “Somewhere else” – which includes use of VRS on mobile devices, at a friend or a family member’s home, or while traveling.
5% use VRS at school.

On the question as to how often one uses VRS:

39% use VRS more than 10 times per week.
18% use VRS at least 10 times per week.
28% use VRS at least 5 times per week.
9% use VRS once per week.

On the question of how often one makes point-to-point calls (deaf to deaf):

41% make deaf-to-deaf calls more than 10 times a week.
16% make deaf-to-deaf calls at least 10 times a week.
28% make deaf-to-deaf calls at least 5 times a week.
9% make deaf-to-deaf calls at least once a week.
3% make deaf-to-deaf calls less than once a week.

On the question of what is the most important feature of making a VRS call:

48% of respondents chose quality of interpreting as the most important feature.
17% responded that the features and equipment were the most important features.
17% responded that speed of answer was the most important feature.
12% responded that quality of the video was the most important feature.

When asked what problems one experiences when making VRS calls:

40% of respondents chose long hold times to get an interpreter.
39% of respondents chose hearing people do not understand what VRS is.
30% of respondents chose poor video quality.
30% of respondents chose poor quality of interpreting.
18% of respondents chose something else.

On the question of how important outreach and education is to consumers:

69% responded that the outreach function was extremely important.
21% responded that it is somewhat important.
7% responded that it is neither important nor unimportant.
3% responded that it is either less important or not important at all.

On the question of who provides the most useful information about VRS:

67% of respondents get VRS information from VRS providers.
47% of respondents get VRS information from friends.
30% of respondents get VRS information from VRSCA.
18% of respondents get VRS information from the FCC.

You can get a copy of the survey from the FCC website at this link: VRSCA Survey Info on FCC Website

Dr. Z wants to thank VRSCA for doing the survey and sharing this with the FCC.

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 #108: Stories about Remote Controls

Dr. Z does not use a remote control to make phone calls. 99 percent of the people in the world do not use remote controls to make phone calls. Only deaf people in the United States use remote controls to make phone calls if they use a Sorenson device (VP-200 or nTouch VP.)

Why use a remote control? To avoid walking, that means you gain weight and lose some exercise?

What if your dogs eat your remote control? How would you be able to make a call? Why do dogs eat remote controls? Well, when people watch TV, they tend to have snacks such as potato chips and popcorn. And the oils and flavoring from those snacks get carried over to the remote control, making it very appealing and tasty to those cute dogs. Then before you know it, it looks like this picture on the right.

What if a phone call comes in and you need to answer it, and one of your kids misplaced your remote control? Result? A missed call?

What if your remote control is hidden under a sofa cushion and there is an emergency and you can’t make a 911 call? *

Here is a quote from a press release by a remote control replacement outfit:

“Sofa cushions aren’t the only things that eat the remote controls that operate televisions and other appliances. The eternal search for the missing remote often ends in the mouth of the family dog.”

“Dogs are devouring remote controls,” says a press release from Charlie Waters, customer service director for MrRemoteControls.com.

“My dog ate the remote” is second only to “somebody lost it” as the most common reason given by customers ordering replacements, he says. They say dogs bury remotes or chew them beyond recognition.

“Similar in size and shape to their favorite bone, a remote control has the added flavor of [their] master’s scent, making it an irresistible treat,” the release speculates.”

From the same source, here are some excuses people make about their remote controls:

– My husband lost it. My wife lost it. My kids lost it. Note: We never hear “I lost it.”

– We moved but the remote didn’t.

– My husband spilled beer, soda, coffee, water or all of the above on the remote.

I am sure there are other stories or situations you have about remote controls.

Why is Dr. Z bringing this up? Simply to point out the fact that there are other videophones such as the Z20 which do not need a remote control. Also the Z4 on your PC or Mac doesn’t need a remote control. The Z4 mobile on your iPhone and iPad do not need remote controls either. They all have keypads that are part of the device. (And you lose some weight in the process.)

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 Sorenson nTouch VP has a button for situations like this to make VRS calls (not point-to-point) without a remote.

Editorial #107: More “Enough is Enough” — Still Hearing Stories from Consumers All Over the Country

Dr. Z is deaf…in addition to being associated with ZVRS, he is also a consumer of VRS.

He continues to travel all over the country and still is hearing some unpleasant stories from consumers that the practices of a certain provider is creating issues for deaf and hard of hearing consumers.

First things first-

Let’s look at the definition of harassment from Webster’s dictionary: (1) to annoy persistently (2) : to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct

Let’s look at definition of sell from Webster’s dictionary: to persuade or influence to a course of action or to the acceptance of something

Let’s look at the practices of that certain provider as related to Dr. Z in person at town hall meetings:

– the provider’s trainer shows up unannounced at people’s homes, especially during dinnertime (is this selling or harassment, based on the definitions above?)

– the provider’s trainer makes 10-15 phone calls to the consumer urging them to port to them (is this selling or harassment, based on the definition above?)

– the provider’s trainer rings the consumer’s doorbell at late at night asking if they would port (is this selling or harassment, based on the definitions above?)

– the provider’s trainer makes untruthful statements about early termination fees and commitment periods, saying if they port to them, they can’t port back after 2 years (is this selling or harassment, based on the definitions above?)

The list goes on and on. The FCC has some examples of the above submitted to the in the form of complaints.

Is that provider still listening? “Enough is enough.” The executives of that company have categorically denied such actions–are they aware that their people on the front lines are perpetuating such behavior? With 80 percent of the market, and resorting to such behavior, leads Dr. Z to wonder if there are some issues requiring them to meet their numbers. I am sure their investors who work in the corporate world would not condone such behavior in the companies they invest in.

Dr. Z cares about the quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing people everywhere and not to use their videophones in “fear.”

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.