IP Communications

Viable Inc., a provider of video relay services for the deaf or hard of hearing, today announced new E911 options for ViableVRS customers.

 

The Federal Communications Commission recently required emergency access through Internet-based relay services – a decision that Viable officials say the company strongly endorses.

 

John T.C. Yeh, president and founder of Viable, said, “I have always said that the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people is tied to communication access, and we must thank the FCC (News - Alert) for requiring all relay service providers to offer 911 call handling capability. All our trained interpreters are ready to assist ViableVRS callers with their emergency situations.”

 

Those who need to call 911 via ViableVRS can choose from several connection methods, under the new system: Dialing ecall.ViableVRS.tv via Sorenson VP-200; Dialing 911.ViableVRS.tv via Viable Vision and the VPADl Dialing 911.ViableVRS.tv via D-Link (News - Alert) DVC-1000, Sorenson VP-100, or the Ojo.

 

ViableVRS operators stand by for emergency calls at all times, company officials say. Although ViableVRS callers can expect prompt responses and the highest standard of performance, VRS callers are advised to use their TTYs to contact 911 directly, since direct calling enables automatic address identification and remains the quickest way to reach emergency responders, they say.

 

During a VRS call, deaf and hard-of-hearing people – for whom American Sign Language is a native language – use video technology to connect to a Video Interpreter (VI), who will dial out to another party then interpret their conversation.

 

All ViableVRS callers are placed in a queue in the order their calls are received.

 

All 911 calls that are made through ViableVRS are expected to receive priority treatment and receive the next available video interpreter (VI), according to the company. The moment the VI appears on screen, the ViableVRS caller will be asked for name, street address, and a brief description of the emergency. Afterwards, the VI will contact our special emergency center, get the local phone number for emergency response, connect to that number, and relay the conversation, company officials say.