Getting the message across with video relay service

By Anita Szabadi-Gottesman

Connecting Deaf and hard-of-hearing hearing individuals to optimize work, social networks and relationships remains a challenge in a sound-enhanced world. The internet-based video-conferencing non-profit, SRV Canada VRS, has been working since 2016 to change that. The service provides the hearing-impaired member with real-time sign language interpretation for telephone calls through an app.

In an interview with Inspirations using the video relay service (VRS), Ryan Duchoeny discussed his experience with this innovative technology. Deaf since the age of 18 months, Duchoeny has always found it challenging to communicate with doctors, other professionals and friends.  “Using the VRS service, I can communicate in my first language, which is American Sign Language (ASL),” he said.

The free bilingual service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The organization’s vision statement says the goal of the service is to “empower Deaf Canadians,” knowing that “access is opportunity.” To that end, so many daily tasks that the hearing world takes for granted are now fully accessible for the Deaf, leading to enhanced social connection and reducing isolation. The organization has a mandate from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to deliver the service in Canada. French speakers work with interpreters using Langues des signes québécoise (LSQ).

A customer service agent by day and an accomplished actor, having worked in film and commercials for 10 years and recently nominated for a local Ottawa actor-of-the-year award, Duchoeny appreciates the service to facilitate discussions in the workplace and with his talent manager. “I can access the VRS service from anywhere, any time of day or night through the app on my phone,” he said. “I am very quickly connected with a sign-language interpreter who provides real-time interpretation for any telephone calls I need to make.”

Duchoeny commented that he has had only positive experiences so far using the service. “The interpreters do a great job, and I trust them completely to get my message across. The interpreter pops up on my screen, and we begin our conversation. The interpreter then speaks my words to the person on the line.” Once registered as a user, the VRS app can be downloaded for any IOS, Android, Windows and Mac with Safari and Firefox.