If you use VRS or are a VRS interpreter, please read this!

V

vrsterp

Guest
There was a really good thread earlier about interpreters' wishlists and what interpreters wish the deaf clients knew. This one pertains to VRS. I think it's a good list for anyone who uses VRS to read, and definitely deserves its own thread. Deaf clients give their feedback on the interpreters, now we need to give some hints and feedback to deaf clients. It will make the whole process go much smoother!

Terps, feel free to add if you can think of others! Sometimes people don't know until you tell them!


Dear VRS users:

-if your video quality sucks, please realize I cannot interpret for you when I can't see you. Don't say "oh, short call!!" If i had to strain to understand that, I'm never going to be able to do your call. I sit here for up to 10 hours a day. Bad video is a BIG strain on the eyes, and it adds up. Please understand this.

-Please do not rock back and forth (in rocking chairs or whatever) It messes up the video quality and it hurts my eyes. It also makes it harder to interpret accurately.

-Please do not say the same word repeatedly until you see me mouth it. I am waiting for the rest of your sentence.

-Please realize that different areas have different signs. It does not mean the interpreter is wrong. He/she will try to the best of their ability to use your local signs. (i.e. "battery" "electricity" "grass" "purple" "Trash/garbage" etc)

-Please don't tell me how to do my job. I've had a person or two say "how many rings was that?" I do not count them. For each ring I hear, I will sign "riiiiing" I've had someone tell me "It is required for you to count the rings. It is <insert company's name> policy. You have to count them" No. I don't. A hearing person does not know how many times the phone is ringing unless they count them.

-Please do not ask a question to the hearing person then look away. You are missing their answer. If you do, that is fine, but don't get mad at the interpreter because you missed it.

-Please do NOT expect me to retain information and tell you when you finally decide to look back at me.

-When automatic recordings are on the phone (pick 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) PAY attention! Don't look back at me and say "What?" A hearing person can't tell the machine to repeat.

-When you have to pick 1, 2, 3, 4, please try to remember what number to pick. When I say "push 1 for tech support, press 2 for billing, press 3 for sales.." etc, and at the end of 9 different numbers you say "billing." it doesn't help me. I don't know which number went with which department.

-If you decide to stuff your face with food while using VRS, chewing with your mouth open, I'm going to interpret using my voice like I'm eating and chewing sloppily, too. Just like I will tell you that the hearing person is eating and talking with a mouth full.

-If you are testing your VP, please just tell me. Don't have me call someone who's standing 3 feet away from you and pretend to have a conversation with them. I can tell.

-Please realize if I look like I have an attitude, ITS NOT ME. It is the hearing person you are talking to. Do not threaten to report me, call my boss, fire me, sue me, whatever. All this means is I'm doing a damn good job interpreting.

-If you are drunk, stoned, whatever, that's great. Do not hit on the interpreter. Do not tell me I have nice boobs. Even if you're not sober, please have respect.

-Do not try to be sneaky and take pictures of the interpreter. Let me do my job, and please finish your phone call.

-When you ask me personal informatio (i.e. where I'm from, if my parents are deaf, etc). Do not get mad that I politely say "I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to give out personal information." Don't say "Other interpreters did!" I'm glad they did, however I like my job and I'd like to keep it.

-Please don't tell me I'm signing too fast and to slow down. You'll have to ask the hearing person to slow down. I'm signing as fast as they talk. I can't lag too much, again, I'm not going to retain information. I couldn't, even If I wanted to.

-When an interpreter stops and asks you for clarification, especially when you use a name sign, and we ask you to spell it, do not treat us as if we're stupid. We don't know everyone in the entire world, and we especially do not know their name signs. There are many signs or things you don't understand, and we explain them to you without so much as a flinch. Please have the same respect for us. (Same goes with city name signs. There are many that have the same sign!)

-You know how when we or the hearing person gives you a phone number or an account number, we/they do it slowly so you can write it? Please have the same respect for us. Do not sign a number so incredibly fast that nobody except you understood it, and then get pissed because we/the hearing person asks you to repeat it. We take the time to help you understand things you missed, or write things down; please do the same, as we have to type them into the computer, and so does the hearing customer service representative who is looking for your account.

-Please sit a little closer than 300 feet away from the camera.

-Please sit a little farther away than 3 inches from the camera.

-Please use the option on your videophone so you can view yourself. It's hard to interpret for someone who has the camera focused on half of their body with their head cut off.

-Don't put your VP facing a window then stand in front of the window and expect me to interpret your call. If I can't see you, I'm going to ask you to fix your VP and call back. (added by HoHGuyOhio)

-Please be ready when you call. Adjust your camera, turn on the light BEFORE you call. The longer I have to wait for you, the longer other deaf people are waiting for me to be available to interpret for them.

-It helps if you have paper and a pencil near, so you can be prepared to write things down. (i.e. phone numbers, etc)

-If you are having camera problems, DO NOT HESITATE to call tech support! We need the camera issues taken care of as much as, if not more than you do.
 
vrsterp said:
There was a really good thread earlier about interpreters' wishlists and what interpreters wish the deaf clients knew. This one pertains to VRS. I think it's a good list for anyone who uses VRS to read, and definitely deserves its own thread. Deaf clients give their feedback on the interpreters, now we need to give some hints and feedback to deaf clients. It will make the whole process go much smoother!

Terps, feel free to add if you can think of others! Sometimes people don't know until you tell them!
Click to expand...

Excellent excellent excellent.. Certainly it helps us better VRS users... Your notes would be very much appreciated and it will make us enjoy more with you the terps. :)

Thanks
 
I just got a new VP 3 days ago, and this really helps me to understand and respect other end's wishes.

Thank you for this post! :)
 
thank you for listing, and I think Sorenson dont have to ask callers "what name of person u are calling for?" JUST CALL!
 
vrsterp said:
There was a really good thread earlier about interpreters' wishlists and what interpreters wish the deaf clients knew. This one pertains to VRS. I think it's a good list for anyone who uses VRS to read, and definitely deserves its own thread. Deaf clients give their feedback on the interpreters, now we need to give some hints and feedback to deaf clients. It will make the whole process go much smoother!

Terps, feel free to add if you can think of others! Sometimes people don't know until you tell them!


Dear VRS users:

-if your video quality sucks, please realize I cannot interpret for you when I can't see you. Don't say "oh, short call!!" If i had to strain to understand that, I'm never going to be able to do your call. I sit here for up to 10 hours a day. Bad video is a BIG strain on the eyes, and it adds up. Please understand this.

-Please do not rock back and forth (in rocking chairs or whatever) It messes up the video quality and it hurts my eyes. It also makes it harder to interpret accurately.

-Please do not say the same word repeatedly until you see me mouth it. I am waiting for the rest of your sentence.

-Please realize that different areas have different signs. It does not mean the interpreter is wrong. He/she will try to the best of their ability to use your local signs. (i.e. "battery" "electricity" "grass" "purple" "Trash/garbage" etc)

-Please don't tell me how to do my job. I've had a person or two say "how many rings was that?" I do not count them. For each ring I hear, I will sign "riiiiing" I've had someone tell me "It is required for you to count the rings. It is <insert company's name> policy. You have to count them" No. I don't. A hearing person does not know how many times the phone is ringing unless they count them.

-Please do not ask a question to the hearing person then look away. You are missing their answer. If you do, that is fine, but don't get mad at the interpreter because you missed it.

-Please do NOT expect me to retain information and tell you when you finally decide to look back at me.

-When automatic recordings are on the phone (pick 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) PAY attention! Don't look back at me and say "What?" A hearing person can't tell the machine to repeat.

-When you have to pick 1, 2, 3, 4, please try to remember what number to pick. When I say "push 1 for tech support, press 2 for billing, press 3 for sales.." etc, and at the end of 9 different numbers you say "billing." it doesn't help me. I don't know which number went with which department.

-If you decide to stuff your face with food while using VRS, chewing with your mouth open, I'm going to interpret using my voice like I'm eating and chewing sloppily, too. Just like I will tell you that the hearing person is eating and talking with a mouth full.

-If you are testing your VP, please just tell me. Don't have me call someone who's standing 3 feet away from you and pretend to have a conversation with them. I can tell.

-Please realize if I look like I have an attitude, ITS NOT ME. It is the hearing person you are talking to. Do not threaten to report me, call my boss, fire me, sue me, whatever. All this means is I'm doing a damn good job interpreting.

-If you are drunk, stoned, whatever, that's great. Do not hit on the interpreter. Do not tell me I have nice boobs. Even if you're not sober, please have respect.

-Do not try to be sneaky and take pictures of the interpreter. Let me do my job, and please finish your phone call.

-When you ask me personal informatio (i.e. where I'm from, if my parents are deaf, etc). Do not get mad that I politely say "I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to give out personal information." Don't say "Other interpreters did!" I'm glad they did, however I like my job and I'd like to keep it.

-Please don't tell me I'm signing too fast and to slow down. You'll have to ask the hearing person to slow down. I'm signing as fast as they talk. I can't lag too much, again, I'm not going to retain information. I couldn't, even If I wanted to.

-When an interpreter stops and asks you for clarification, especially when you use a name sign, and we ask you to spell it, do not treat us as if we're stupid. We don't know everyone in the entire world, and we especially do not know their name signs. There are many signs or things you don't understand, and we explain them to you without so much as a flinch. Please have the same respect for us. (Same goes with city name signs. There are many that have the same sign!)

-You know how when we or the hearing person gives you a phone number or an account number, we/they do it slowly so you can write it? Please have the same respect for us. Do not sign a number so incredibly fast that nobody except you understood it, and then get pissed because we/the hearing person asks you to repeat it. We take the time to help you understand things you missed, or write things down; please do the same, as we have to type them into the computer, and so does the hearing customer service representative who is looking for your account.

-Please sit a little closer than 300 feet away from the camera.

-Please sit a little farther away than 3 inches from the camera.

-Please use the option on your videophone so you can view yourself. It's hard to interpret for someone who has the camera focused on half of their body with their head cut off.

-Don't put your VP facing a window then stand in front of the window and expect me to interpret your call. If I can't see you, I'm going to ask you to fix your VP and call back. (added by HoHGuyOhio)

-Please be ready when you call. Adjust your camera, turn on the light BEFORE you call. The longer I have to wait for you, the longer other deaf people are waiting for me to be available to interpret for them.

-It helps if you have paper and a pencil near, so you can be prepared to write things down. (i.e. phone numbers, etc)

-If you are having camera problems, DO NOT HESITATE to call tech support! We need the camera issues taken care of as much as, if not more than you do.
Click to expand...

sometimes itself goes dark I have to press contrast to light, have anyone happened?
 
FreeWoman77 said:
sometimes itself goes dark I have to press contrast to light, have anyone happened?
Click to expand...


Yes, that's fine. That happens sometimes. All video phones do that sometimes. Especially older VPs. Only for a few seconds, then gets better. I mean for people who have no light on in their house, and expect VRS to interpret for them in the dark.
 
FreeWoman77 said:
thank you for listing, and I think Sorenson dont have to ask callers "what name of person u are calling for?" JUST CALL!
Click to expand...


No, interpreters are not supposed to ask "What is the name of the person u are calling for" but we can ask "Do you WANT me to ask for a name" then you can say yes or no.

Sometimes deaf people want to talk to someone specific. Then it makes it easier to ask "Hi, is Bob there?" If they say "Yes" then transfer to Bob, then I can explain VRS to Bob. Instead of explain VRS to the person who answers the phone,THEN they don't understand it, so we explain, explain, explain, THEN ask "Is Bob there?" then Bob answers the phone, THEN explain VRS again.

It saves time if we ask for the person you want to talk to first. If you don't mind waiting 8 minutes while I explain, explain, explain, then that's fine. But often the deaf person gets annoyed and frustrated at how long it takes to finally talk to Bob.

But you are never required to give the name if you don't want to. If the interpreter asks "Do you want to ask name?" you can say "no thank you" if you want to talk to anyone who answers the phone.

If you're calling friends or family or someone who is familiar with VRS, then obviously it doesn't matter. It's usually for business calls, or people who you don't know and are calling for the first time & you think maybe they won't know what VRS is.

I PROMISE, we are not asking because we want to be nosy. We are trying to make it easier, that's all.
 
Just curious.....

Just curious......

Sometimes I call a business, and obviously they probably havent heard of a Relay yet.... Once the operator explain the first few seconds or a minute, the caller at the other ends hang up... cuz they probably thought it was telemarketing or they get confused and dont want to continue the call.... and i know it is out of the operator's hand to get them back on the phone, but... what does the operator do/say to them once the deaf person persists to call back again and hopefully they, the other end, would stay on line to talk...

What does the operator say to the other end at the first time and at the second attempt? (from your POV... ofc... all other POV are different.. ofc)
 
CutieActress said:
Just curious......

Sometimes I call a business, and obviously they probably havent heard of a Relay yet.... Once the operator explain the first few seconds or a minute, the caller at the other ends hang up... cuz they probably thought it was telemarketing or they get confused and dont want to continue the call.... and i know it is out of the operator's hand to get them back on the phone, but... what does the operator do/say to them once the deaf person persists to call back again and hopefully they, the other end, would stay on line to talk...

What does the operator say to the other end at the first time and at the second attempt? (from your POV... ofc... all other POV are different.. ofc)
Click to expand...

That's why sometimes it is better if you want to talk to specific person, then I can ask for their name instead of try to explain it to the operator who answers the phone.

If you don't know a name, then I call back and I usually will say "Hold on, please! Do not hang up. There is a customer of yours calling you! I am interpreting for them because they use sign language, but it is like a regular phone call." Then they usually say "OH! I'm sorry. I thought you were selling something."
 
Hey that sounds about right:

"Hold on, please! Do not hang up. There is a customer of yours calling you! I am interpreting for them because they use sign language, but it is like a regular phone call."
Click to expand...

...if you're calling MaxiAids or HP. This quote reduces the chance of businessman hanging up the relay call. If it's a personal call and I am calling a specific person my mom or dad (but instead of calling mom or dad I'd just use either Tammie or Terry), I'd say:

"Hi. I'm an interpreter over at the relay center and I have a person who are calling you with a sign language, and he'd like to know if Tammie here."

It's also similar to when I'm using a TTY to order a pizza and without explaining relay (from the relay center to Pizza Hut, for example), the pizza man would say "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut is it for delivery or dining?" and after a few seconds, the Pizza man will say "Hello?" and after about a few seconds, the pizza man will just hang up. I think this is because the relay person continues to type a pre-recorded message to me without noticing that a pizza man picked up a phone, so I've redailed the number, this time the relay typed (Pre-Recorded Message) and when the pizza man picked up the phone, the relay person explains the relay and the turn goes to me and I start typing "delivery ga" to the person. Maybe it's because I didn't say to the relay person that "when you dial the number and get placed on hold, pls notify me of pre-recorded msg until the pizza man picks up the phone and begin speaking." However, I do wonder how I'd make it short but my comment about TTY are unrelated to the VRS thread and I'll probably start a thread whenever I have questions about making relay calls using TTY/IP-Relay.
 
GraysonPeddie said:
Hey that sounds about right:



...if you're calling MaxiAids or HP. This quote reduces the chance of businessman hanging up the relay call. If it's a personal call and I am calling a specific person my mom or dad (but instead of calling mom or dad I'd just use either Tammie or Terry), I'd say:

"Hi. I'm an interpreter over at the relay center and I have a person who are calling you with a sign language, and he'd like to know if Tammie here."

It's also similar to when I'm using a TTY to order a pizza and without explaining relay (from the relay center to Pizza Hut, for example), the pizza man would say "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut is it for delivery or dining?" and after a few seconds, the Pizza man will say "Hello?" and after about a few seconds, the pizza man will just hang up. I think this is because the relay person continues to type a pre-recorded message to me without noticing that a pizza man picked up a phone, so I've redailed the number, this time the relay typed (Pre-Recorded Message) and when the pizza man picked up the phone, the relay person explains the relay and the turn goes to me and I start typing "delivery ga" to the person. Maybe it's because I didn't say to the relay person that "when you dial the number and get placed on hold, pls notify me of pre-recorded msg until the pizza man picks up the phone and begin speaking." However, I do wonder how I'd make it short but my comment about TTY are unrelated to the VRS thread and I'll probably start a thread whenever I have questions about making relay calls using TTY/IP-Relay.
Click to expand...


Text relay is WAY too slow to do a normal phone call without the hearing person trying to figure out what's going on. If I was making the same phone call you used as an example, I wouldn't say I'm an interpreter. I would just say "Hi, can I speak with either Tammie or Terry, please?" Usually they will say "yes, hold" or if they say "May I ask who's calling?" Then I will say "This is a video relay call from...<if you gave me your name>"
 
I understand the delay when calling relay using TTY, however with VRS, this requires knowledge of sign language and because I have limited vision, I may not be able to keep up and may have trouble with what the interpreter are saying, so using a TTY is a lot easier for me.
 
vrsterp, that was a good one that you have written down.
I just wish that everyone would realize that we need to appreciate what the VRS interpreters are doing for us. Without them we won't be able to have the way of communication over a VP.

To ALL interpreters, thank you for doing a good job for us!!
 
GraysonPeddie said:
I understand the delay when calling relay using TTY, however with VRS, this requires knowledge of sign language and because I have limited vision, I may not be able to keep up and may have trouble with what the interpreter are saying, so using a TTY is a lot easier for me.
Click to expand...

No, I understand. I just mean text relay is IMPOSSIBLE to use without telling the hearing person that you are using relay.
 
ButterflyGirl said:
vrsterp, that was a good one that you have written down.
I just wish that everyone would realize that we need to appreciate what the VRS interpreters are doing for us. Without them we won't be able to have the way of communication over a VP.

To ALL interpreters, thank you for doing a good job for us!!
Click to expand...


I think I can speak for all interpreters when I say THANK YOU!!!!!

It's easy to feel unappreciated. Yes, deaf people have the right to an interpreter, but that still doesn't mean we don't CHOOSE to be there. We're interpreters because we want to be. And we are human. It's nice to get a "thank you" or an appreciation once in a while. Thank you, again!!!!
 
You mentioned GENERAL ANY VRS likey eg: HOVRS, CDSVRS OR OTHERS?

Do you have listing for VRS related to?

Mostly I given it out company name and name person where I contact with.. and phone number.. easier for Interpreter speak directly faster than wait for my answer..

Of course I do understand interpreter doing great job and trying their best as can make you understand best interest for Deaf people.

I hope Deaf people don't give hard time w/interpreter's fault Nope! Not that reason.. whoever person speaking rudely toward to interpreter have to follow their voice tone..

I've seen Interpreter attudies turns.. I knew was not interpreter's attudies which speaking peson did it not Interpreter! Im not worry.. as long I hope for everyone have to UNDERSTAND interpreter doing it job!

I do respect all VRS as long make sure not comfy my background.. Of course my background dark color wall... I have to adjust window open and bit brighter.. let interpreter can see me well... Perfectally as well.

Anything else what interpreter need more?
 
If people hang up on you using the relay, you can sue if you have the evidence like a printout of the call attempt. Unfortunately this dont work with VRS because there's no means to record the VRS calls.

VRS concept goes in many ways against deaf rights. One by taking interpreters away from the deaf communities creating an excuseable undue burden, another by making themselves useless when it comes to enforcement of our rights by making themselves too invisible when it comes to the need for evidence.

http://www.alldeaf.com/showpost.php?p=403609&postcount=1

Richard
 
Nesmuth said:
If people hang up on you using the relay, you can sue if you have the evidence like a printout of the call attempt. Unfortunately this dont work with VRS because there's no means to record the VRS calls.

VRS concept goes in many ways against deaf rights. One by taking interpreters away from the deaf communities creating an excuseable undue burden, another by making themselves useless when it comes to enforcement of our rights by making themselves too invisible when it comes to the need for evidence.

http://www.alldeaf.com/showpost.php?p=403609&postcount=1

Richard
Click to expand...

That's the point of VRS to make things as NORMAL as possible for the deaf consumer. We are not there to baby you and support you. If you want to sue someone, then sue them. No matter whether the interpreter is VRS or community, either way, our role is exactly the same. We are just the communication facilitator. On VRS, we are just a dial tone. We are not there to retain your information for future reference. Just like if a person was to sue you, they can't ask us to confirm or deny anything. It goes both ways. You need another hobby. Take your blathering elsewhere. Your spam gets old. You have this way of trying to spread negativity everywhere. Move on.

You can't have us support you when you want us to, then mind our own business when you don't. We have ONE role. To make your communication with someone else as clear as possible.

We KNOW You hate vrs. FINE. Enough with your bullshit. Stop posting the same shit everywhere. If you don't like it, don't use it. But don't spam every single thread about it.
 
don't you mean BI-BI factilator?

and thanks for the hard work you have done for some crazy notion. i think i was the one that referred you from informing you of a location and the information to here..

in all aspect yr doing a GREAT job!

JP
 
Nesmuth said:
If people hang up on you using the relay, you can sue if you have the evidence like a printout of the call attempt. Unfortunately this dont work with VRS because there's no means to record the VRS calls.

VRS concept goes in many ways against deaf rights. One by taking interpreters away from the deaf communities creating an excuseable undue burden, another by making themselves useless when it comes to enforcement of our rights by making themselves too invisible when it comes to the need for evidence.

http://www.alldeaf.com/showpost.php?p=403609&postcount=1

Richard
Click to expand...

I don't think you can sue for a simple hang up on relay. Businesses hang up on lots of people. They can also choose not to do business with everyone who calls them over the telephone.
 
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