Here's the technical problems:
Dad has no computer or mobile phone. He basically killed his last three computers and refuses to use a mobile phone anymore.
All he has is a landline and a SorensenVRS videophone.
Since we're not deaf, it's my understanding that we cannot access Convo, Sorensen, or any other service like them. Facetime and Skype appear to be out of reach since he has no mobile devices or computer.
So if there is something anyone knows of that we can use to call him on that Sorensen device, PLEASE let us know. We're desperate. My wife, whose first language was ASL, is wanting and needing to talk to her dad. Talking via some stranger who's relaying the message over a telephone just isn't the same thing.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Mel
Hello,
This has been a problem that has plagued us deafies for years. I wrote about this in another thread back in 2011 because I wanted to have my hearing family, friends, and interpreters, who know sign language, be able to call my videophone directly (sans interpreter). It was/is legally possible, but very inconvenient. Luckily, as time has passed, technology has improved drastically (and, unbelievably, today we are even seeing the VRS companies work together on standardizing VP (SIP) technology). Back in 2011, I was helping others setup hardware, or software, solutions that enabled them to dial my VP directly. As FaceTime became popular, I broke down and got an iPad just so I could FaceTime hearing people. Also, other factors, such as text size limitations have been removed, MMS messaging took over SMS, etc. It all helped us easily keep in touch with everyone 24 hours/day. Unfortunately, your wife's situation with her father is different, and he since he can't take advantage of these technological improvements, below are a few ideas...
First off let me start by saying that, as far as I'm concerned, THE person for this discussion is "VRSEngineer." He responded to many of my posts back in the day, and I never found anyone who understood the technology, and the industry, as well as he did/does. It was his work as an engineer for ZVRS, that made everything possible for hearing people to legally contact me via my videophones (such as the one your wife's father uses). I was, and am, very grateful for all of his input as it improved the quality of my life tremendously. That said, I'm not sure if he still posts here, but it would be wise to attempt message him on these boards. I can guarantee that if he chimes in, his input will be of great value. If interested, the original thread can be found at:
http://www.alldeaf.com/threads/best...-pc-webcam-to-call-deaf-hoh-vrs-number.84435/
Ok, the easiest way to solve this problem would be for your FIL to apply for a Z videophone (meaning hardware that doesn't require a computer since you said that he doesn't have, or want, a computer). Since he is deaf, he is allowed to use this hardware (just like his current Sorenson hardware), and ZVRS will even provide it for free! This will then allow your wife, anyone in her family, and actually anyone on the planet, to use the Z5h software (that you mentioned you already downloaded) to call that videophone (VP) directly. Additionally, any Deaf/HoH person with a VP could also call him just as they would on his current Sorenson VP. They wouldn't have to though, they could still use his Sorenson VP if it's too much of an adjustment for him to make.
Assuming that he refuses to have two VPs in his house (which is not a problem at all), and since you said that you are willing to spend money to make this happen, there are other options. ZVRS used to (and I believe they still do) allow any VP (regardless of whether it's a hardware or software solution), that was capable of URI dialing, to go through (for lack getting technical) its servers by dialing a '10-digit-VP-number'@zvrs.com (e.g. if your FIL's Sorenson VP phone number is 202-404-6060, you would dial "
2024046060@zvrs.com").
There are hardware solutions available where you can purchase a private videophone (some examples can be found from Tandberg and Cisco), and there are software programs/apps you can download (most cost money) that will provide a software solution. It's your choice as to your preference. IMHO, the best solution was a free solution from Cisco called "Jabber Video Beta" that could be downloaded from
www.ciscojabbervideo.com. I used this for years, but very unfortunately, this product reached its end-of-life last year, and can't be used any longer. However, I have been told that Cisco now has a free replacement product called "Spark" (I have not tested this though because, as I said above, I finally gave up on all the headaches, and used other technologies to communicate directly with the hearing world). This product came about through what Cisco called "Project Squared." It can be found at: "
https://www.ciscospark.com/downloads.html". You will need to create a free Cisco video account (as was also needed with Jabber Video Beta), then you can use the Spark apps for iPhones/iPads, Android, and the Spark programs for Mac, and Windows. Again, I have not used Spark, or any Cisco product, since they discontinued Jabber Video Beta, so should Spark not work there is also Lifesize Mobile Video Calling. The company Lifesize has a software videophone product called ClearSea that was designed for video conferencing. It costs between $29 and $44 per month and can be found at:
https://www.lifesize.com/en/products/video-conferencing-software/clearsea. The main requirements for any VP (hardware or software) is that it (1) supports URI dialing and (2) supports the H.264 video codec standard (this is important because of the Sorensen hardware that your FIL has; it used used to be an issue, but really isn't anymore as most VPs are H.264 capable).
To be clear, it will be important to verify that ZVRS still allows 10-digit URI dialing through their servers to a deaf person's video phone before attempting to implement these solutions (unless your FIL gets a Z phone from ZVRS). It will cost ZVRS money every time you place a call, as they will have to access the Neustar iTRS database. They were just eating the small fees for the betterment of improving our lives. Thank you ZVRS!! Likewise, you will be using their gateways/servers and this consumes a small portion of their network resources. Thus, it's easy to see why they might have discontinued offering these services to everyone at no charge. I would NOT just call them up and start asking questions as it will probably lead to more headaches, and maybe even cause additional problems. Instead, hopefully, someone use who is currently doing this will provide input on it. If not, maybe start with a free Cisco account and Spark for testing.
Hope this helps!
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