The Ohlone College Deaf Center (OCDC) and Sorenson Media announced today that Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS) has been chosen as the primary video relay service for both OCDC students and faculty. OCDC selected Sorenson VRS based on its ability to deliver the highest-quality video relay service through its state-of-the-art relay solutions and reliable interpreting service.
"Our (OCDC) primary purpose is to provide an opportunity for all individuals to gain the maximum benefit from their educational experience. Ohlone College encourages deaf and hard-of-hearing students to participate with their peers in the same activities and courses," said Ron Burdett, dean of deaf studies & special services at Ohlone College. "Sorenson VRS is a great resource that bridges the communication gap on and off of campus."
Sorenson VRS enables deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to effectively and naturally communicate with the hearing world. Using the Sorenson VP-100 videophone appliance connected to a TV, or a personal computer equipped with a Web camera and Sorenson EnVision SL video relay software or Microsoft NetMeeting, both deaf and hard-of-hearing users are able to place calls to family, friends or business associates through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.
"The Ohlone College Deaf Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs in the state of California designed to meet the academic and vocational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students," added Burdett. "Students enroll in a variety of programs and courses which may lead to professional or occupational careers or enriching experiences. Sorenson VRS will help students and graduates overcome communication barriers to careers or social experiences that once seemed inaccessible."
Currently, Sorenson VP-100 videophones are installed in classrooms and public areas serving the over 200 deaf and hard-of-hearing students and faculty. "With Sorenson VRS, students can communicate openly and in confidence with all staff and faculty on Ohlone's campus. Community resources are also more accessible, creating independence and empowering the students to be self-sufficient. Faculty can contact administrators, access their private personnel and/or payroll information, and hold meetings with their hearing colleagues," explained Burdett.
"Ohlone has always been an excellent academic environment," said Stanley Liu, a deaf student at Ohlone College. "With Sorenson VRS available to me as a student, now I can communicate clearly with my teachers using my own language. This gives me the feeling that I can accomplish anything I want."
"Sorenson Media is honored to be Ohlone College's primary video relay service," said Pat Nola, COO at Sorenson Media. "By delivering the highest-quality video and setting the industry standard for video relay interpreting, Sorenson VRS is poised to become the preferred solution for the deaf and hard-of-hearing whether at home, school or at work."
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. The deaf and hard-of-hearing are able to conveniently place video relay calls to anyone through either the Sorenson VP-100 videophone appliance connected to a TV, or a personal computer equipped with a Web camera and 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 may access Sorenson VRS toll-free by calling 866-FAST-VRS (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.
In 1972, the Ohlone College Deaf Center (OCDC) was established when the college opened its doors to 30 deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The population changes each semester and OCDC has grown and has served up to 200 deaf and hard-of-hearing students in a single year.
Sorenson Media is the recognized technology leader in video services, video compression and video communication to improve the quality of communication over the Internet. The company's products and services include the industry's highest-quality video relay service, award-winning video compression solutions and the market-leading broadband Internet videophone technology.