Gallaudet University Joins Sorenson Video Relay Service -VRS- as a Strategic Interpreting Partner

From: Business Wire (press release) - Apr 22, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2003--

World Leader in Undergraduate and Graduate Programs for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students Unites with Sorenson Media to Offer High-Quality Interpreting Services for Sorenson VRS

Sorenson Media(TM) and Gallaudet University jointly announced today that Gallaudet Interpreting Service has joined the Sorenson Video Relay Service(TM) (VRS) as a strategic interpreting partner to bring the highest quality of video relay interpreting services to the nation's 28 million deaf and hard of hearing.

"Gallaudet University is pleased to collaborate with Sorenson Media," said Deborah VanCleve, director of Gallaudet Interpreting Service. "We are very impressed with Sorenson Media's superior video relay products, which not only are easy to use, but also deliver crisp, clear video images. We believe that the partnership between Gallaudet's first-rate interpreters and Sorenson Media's first-rate video relay technology will prove to be extremely successful."

For over 25 years, Gallaudet Interpreting Service has met the interpreting needs of tens of thousands of deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing clients. Today, Gallaudet Interpreting Services are comprised of over 20 fully certified (by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) full-time interpreters all based at Gallaudet University. Gallaudet Interpreting Service provides more than 50,000 hours of interpreting every year.

"We selected Gallaudet University because of their reputation and strong commitment to consistently provide the highest-quality interpreting service," said James L. Sorenson Jr., CEO of Sorenson Media. "Our technology is only one part of the complete video relay solution. We recognize that the human component of the video relay service is critical and is found in our partnership with Gallaudet University's interpreters."

Sorenson VRS is a free video relay service that enables both deaf and hard-of-hearing users to place video relay calls to family, friends and business associates through a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and broadband Internet connection. The call is placed using the Sorenson VP-100(TM) videophone appliance and a TV or using a personal computer with Sorenson EnVision(R) SL or Microsoft(R) NetMeeting(R) video relay software and a Web camera.

The Sorenson VRS Call Center intelligently routes the incoming video relay calls to an available ASL interpreter, who has been professionally trained to handle the calls. The interpreter then contacts the hearing user via a standard phone line and relays the conversation between the two parties. Sorenson VRS captures the facial expressions, gestures and emotions that are so vital in sign language communication. Dialog flows instantaneously between callers making it possible to communicate easily and as naturally as possible. Likewise, hearing users can call 866/FAST-VRS toll-free to place a video relay call to deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.

About Sorenson VRS

As a service to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Sorenson Media developed the Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS), an exclusive integrated solution of videophones and video relay software that offers the highest-quality video relay service in the nation. In partnership with Gallaudet University Interpreting Service, the deaf and hard of hearing are able to conveniently place video relay calls to anyone through the Sorenson VP-100 videophone, Sorenson EnVision SL video relay software or Microsoft NetMeeting. Hearing users who want to place a video relay call through a standard telephone line to a deaf or hard-of-hearing user can access Sorenson VRS by calling toll-free 866/FAST-VRS or 866/327-8877 and giving the contact information (i.e., name, videophone number or IP address) to the video relay interpreter. Sorenson VRS takes care of the rest by routing the call with the user's preferences through the Sorenson VRS Call Center to a certified interpreting agent. For more details on Sorenson VRS, please visit www.sorensonvrs.com .

About Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University ( www.gallaudet.edu ), established in 1864, is the world leader in undergraduate and graduate programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The mission of Gallaudet University is to serve as a comprehensive, multipurpose institution of higher education for deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens of the United States and of the world. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, the university also offers national demonstration elementary and secondary education programs. The university extends its activities to a worldwide audience through a network of regional centers, international agreements, and public service and advocacy efforts. Gallaudet University is the only liberal arts university in the world designed exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Communication among faculty, staff and students, whether in or out of the classroom, is through the use of both sign language, written and/or spoken English.

About Sorenson Media

Sorenson Media ( www.sorenson.com ) is the recognized leader in video compression, video communication technology and video services to improve the quality of communication over the Internet. With its innovative compression applications and award-winning video delivery solutions, Sorenson Media enables users to easily compress digital video into significantly smaller file sizes so that high-quality video can be affordably delivered.

(C) 2003 Sorenson Media. All products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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CONTACT: Sorenson Media Inc., Salt Lake City
Diana Johnson, 801/287-9400 diana@sorenson.com or
Gallaudet University, Washington
Mercy Coogan, 202/651-5727 coogan@gallaudet.edu KEYWORD: UTAH DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE E-COMMERCE INTERNET MEDICAL EDUCATION
MARKETING AGREEMENTS
SOURCE: Sorenson Media