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.