Ann Bardsley, the Director of Public Relations @ SorensonVRS was kind enough to respond to our questions.
1) Is SorensonVRS Deaf-owned (meaning is the CEO, founder, or owner Deaf)?
"The founder of Sorenson Communications, who was not deaf, worked closely with a family member (who was deaf) to create the first videophone designed especially for the deaf. The award-winning technology delivered fast video with crisp graphics that transmitted images from even the fastest of finger spellers! Today, Sorenson Communications is led by Pat Nola, President and CEO of the company. He is not deaf. Sorenson Communications employs many deaf individuals. Sorenson Communications Vice President of Community Relations, Ron Burdett, is deaf and is on Sorenson's executive team. "
2) How many Deaf employees are working for the company and what percentage do they make up of your workforce?
"Because Sorenson Communications is a privately-held company, we do not share specific numbers on our employees. We can say, however, that Sorenson has hundreds of deaf employees. In fact, 42% of Sorenson employees are deaf, excluding interpreters who cannot be deaf. Including all Sorenson employees, 84% are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)."
3) There are rumors that SorensonVRS is planning to release the next generation Videophone (VP-300). Would it be possible for you to share some details about this new Videophone?
" We understand there is always much consumer anticipation of new technologies. Because Sorenson technologies are proprietary—that is, exclusive to Sorenson, I am unable to release information on products and services before our company officially announces or launches them. Be assured, however, that Sorenson is continually exploring additional solutions to bring more functional equivalency to the deaf and hard-of-hearing."
Thank you, Ann Bardsley, for bringing a sense of clarity to our curiosity! It is probably safe to assume SorensonvRS is currently the largest Video Relay Service / Provider and nearly half of their workforce is Deaf. That is, indeed, impressive!
If you have any more questions, I'll be more than happy to deliver your questions to Ms. Bardsley...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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perhaps you should clarify what you mean about employees because many deaf work as a subcontractor and are not considered employees
ReplyDeleteYou'd be interested to know what happened to that deaf relative of the founder. He's no longer with Sorenson Communications. You'd be more and less surprised as to why. This situation was handled very quietly.
ReplyDeleteThe first anonymous made a good point. We need to differentiate how many deaf employees they have - not including subcontractors.
ReplyDeleteCan you again ask all VRS not to include subcontractors...ask them how many deaf employees are on their regular payroll.
I'd only count employees and contractors earning *gainful* income meaning living above poverty level. It means nothing when a relay provider lists employees or contractors earning less than $902.50 monthly ($5.64 per hour if working 40-hour weeks).
ReplyDeletePoverty levels. Find out if you're poor or not: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml
Hello again!
ReplyDeleteHere are the answers to the most recent questions.
1.) If you are not happy with a video interpreter, you can ask to be transferred to another interpreter. you can also send comments to vrscomments@sorenson.com.
2.) The Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund pays for VRS calls as long as one leg of the call is in the U.S. and the hearing person speaks English or Spanish.
3.) SorensonVRS installers/trainers are employees and nearly all of them are Deaf. SorensonVRS have Deaf employees located throughout the company and country, including at their headquarters. Keep in mind, the interpreters are not Deaf. They do not have any Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI).
Additionally, I want to let you know that I noticed many questions can be answered under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on their website at www.sorensonvrs.com. There is a lot of good information to be found there. Worth a look.
If you do not find your question on the list, you can email at vrscomments@sorenson.com.
Thanks again.
GREAT JOB!!
ReplyDeletebest question to ask if SORENSON HIRE NON CERTIFIED VRS TERPS. I NOT WANT NON CERTIFIED TO MAKE MEDICAL AND LEGAL CALLS FOR ME WHEN I USE SERVICES!!
More important is if all VRS interps are certified AND qualified. Read this for more info. More VRS companies are hiring NON-CERTIFIED and firing certified terps. WHY? because GOVT pays same 6.00 a minute NO MATTER IF CERTIFIED OR NOT!
IF YOU FIND ANSWER YOU WILL SHOCK!
WE MUST Complain to FCC! See here:
http://stopnoncertifiedvrs.blogspot.com