CSD Announces Enhanced CSDVRS VCO Service

From: CSD - Nov 15, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: November 8, 2005
SIGNED VIDEO RELEASE: www.c-s-d.org/default.aspx?tabid=276

CSD Announces Enhanced CSDVRS VCO Service
New Voice Carry-Over Version Speeds Up, Enhances VRS Calling Experience

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 8 November 2005 - In the most significant expansion of its voice carry-over (VCO) capabilities, CSD unveiled new features to meet the needs of deaf, late-deafened and hard of hearing people who wish to speak for themselves while using CSD’s video relay service (CSDVRS).

CSDVRS VCO now offers the ability to designate – via user profile – one of three communication preferences, including the ability to utilize a lip-reading option for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing but not fluent in sign language. Additionally, the VCO user’s call-back phone number now will be provided automatically to the video interpreter to speed up the VCO call process.

The new CSDVRS VCO features incorporate innovative communication features that improve the quality and experience for VCO users. Trials of these enhancements were demonstrated during the Association of Late-Deafened Adults Conference (ALDACon) in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sept. 7-11, meeting with rave reviews from patrons and ALDA officers alike.

“CSDVRS VCO feels more natural, because I am able to use my own voice,” said Karen P. Keefe, 2006 president of ALDA, Inc. “I feel less stressed out without having to give the video interpreter information. The VCO setup is automated, and I can enjoy conversations more.”

The enhanced features are part of a “Switch to CSDVRS” plan announced and implemented on Nov. 1. At that time, CSDVRS also rolled out expanded hours of operation – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – in advance of a regulatory requirement mandating all VRS providers do so by Jan. 1, 2006.

CSDVRS allows sign language users to call hearing people by communicating through an online video interpreter via a high speed Internet connection. With CSDVRS VCO, deaf and hard of hearing consumers use their own voice to speak directly to the hearing party they call. The video interpreter uses sign language only to convey back to the deaf or hard of hearing caller what the hearing person is speaking. This makes the overall call closer to “real-time.”

VCO users can now choose from one of three communication preferences, including having the video interpreter use either American Sign Language or English-based sign language. A third option has the interpreter signing in English and moving closer to the video screen to allow the deaf or hard of hearing caller to read the interpreter’s lips.

The communication preference is set up through the consumer’s profile. Once a VCO user has registered their communication preferences and “call back” telephone numbers in their profile, the process of setting up and placing a VCO call is quicker and more efficient. The interpreter will be alerted with the user’s information each time that consumer calls CSDVRS.

“My family was very impressed when I called them, because they thought I was speaking to them directly without an interpreter present,” said Mary Clark, ALDA past president. “I found making calls through CSDVRS VCO much easier and quicker than regular VCO. I look forward to using the different VCO options!"

To use CSDVRS VCO, videophone callers connect through csdvrsvco.tv, Web cam users go to http://call.csdvrs.com and hearing callers dial (866) WANT-VRS (866-926-8877) toll free. For more information on CSDVRS and enhanced CSDVRS VCO or to set up a user profile, go to www.csdvrs.com/addcsdvrs.html. To view a demonstration of the three VCO communication options, see www.c-s-d.org.

SIGNED VIDEO RELEASE: www.c-s-d.org/default.aspx?tabid=276

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Contact: David Rosenbaum
CSD Community & Media Relations
CommMediaRel@c-s-d.org