Introducing New Videophone Technology for Deaf 8/28/06 at 7:30 AM

From: CSDF - Aug 25, 2006

MEDIA ADVISORY 8/25/06
Contact: Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Coordinator of Outreach Programs
bfirl@csdf-cde.ca.gov
Fax: 510 794 2577
Tel: 510 794 3707
Email Pager: csdoutreachpr@tmail.com

California School for the Deaf Selected as the Site for Introducing New and Innovative Videophone Technology for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users

Fremont, CA – 28 August, 2006 --Sorenson Communications chose to announce their next generation videophone, the Sorenson VP-200 at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, on Monday, August 28, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. at CSD to high school students, staff, and the greater school community.

School address:
California School for the Deaf
39350 Gallaudet Drive
Fremont, CA 94538

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS FOR DEAF PEOPLE
One of the latest and the best innovations in technology advancement for deaf people has been the videophone!

To make a phone call, a deaf person could sit in the living room or in the office in front of a television and a videophone. This person would see an interpreter on the screen and would use sign language to be in a conversation with a person who does not use sign language. The interpreter on the television screen would place a call and speaks to the hearing person at the other end who uses a cell or any kind of conventional phone. The speed of message being relayed is almost functionally equal to hearing-person-to-hearing person telephone conversation.

Of all places in the country, the Sorensen Communications decided to choose the California School for the Deaf as the site because of the demographics of the Fremont community. There are a large number of deaf people living in the area. The school has been viewed by the international community as one of the best educational options the country could offer to school-aged deaf and hard of hearing students. Along with a rigorous curriculum for students in Kindergarten-high school, the California School for the Deaf incorporates technology in its classrooms.

The school welcomes this opportunity for the students and community to witness the new technology being out to the public for the first time and to make use of the videophone for personal or business purposes.

THE SPECIFIC PRODUCT BEING ANNOUNCED BY THE SORENSEN COMMUNICATIONS

The Sorenson VP-200 videophone is a device designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users who primarily use sign language to communicate. Currently available in certain areas of the country, the Sorenson VP-200 is offered at no charge to qualified applicants who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing, have a television, and high-speed Internet access. The Sorenson VP-200 makes it possible for Deaf users to place Video Relay Service (VRS)* calls to any hearing individual via a professional interpreter.

With these proprietary features, VP-200 users are able to more conveniently place free Video Relay Service calls to connect with hearing callers and to place
point-to-point calls with other signing individuals

Available interviewees:
§ Pat Nola, President and CEO of Sorenson Communications
§ Ron Burdett, Vice President of Community Relations via sign language interpreter
§ Hank Klopping, Superintendent of the California School for the Deaf, Fremont

Please contact Sorensen Public Relations Manager, Lisa Harrison Tate at p. 801-287-9897 or c. 801-913-9748 to schedule an interview or if you plan to come to the event where the new technology will be demonstrated with the students on campus.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
For more information on the school, visit student-created website:
http://www.csdf.k12.ca.us/ or call Outreach at (510) 794-3707.

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