Quote:
Originally Posted by GraysonPeddie
If I am hearing impaired and have fluient on ASL, it's not possible to get Sorenson VP, am I correct?
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There are three requirements for receiving a Soreson VP.
1) You must be Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Oral Deaf, Latened Deafened, DeafBlind or have a speech disability.
2) You must sign ASL.
3) You must have high-speed internet.
If you are not totally fluent in ASL, that's fine. As long as you know ASL, that' s ok. When I first got my VP, my ASL was lousy, but after using VRS for a while, it really improved. On the form, when it asks "Is ASL your primary language?", mark "Yes".
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraysonPeddie
The reason I ask is for speeding up conversation. I am blind on my left eye, but I do have good vision.
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If you are Low-Vision, you can still use a VP. You can ask the interpreter to use an appropriate covering, such as black (for light-skinned interpreters) or off-white (for dark-skinned interpreters). Do you read well on your computer (or use a dynamic braille display)? If so, when you get your Sorenson VP, after the installer leaves, you can use hovrsIM with your VP. (The FCC requires that you are able to use any VRS with your VP, but Sorenson wants to think they will make money from you using their service, so wait until after you have the VP and the installer leaves.) With hovrsIM with your VP, you type the number of the Hearing person you want to call in AIM, and the VI calls you on your VP. If cannot understand the ASL, you can ask the VI to type to you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraysonPeddie
I could use VCO with VP, but my speech (for pronounciating sounds with "r" and "a") is less than good
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You can use still use VCO with VP. Tell your installer to help setup you setup VCO, by programming your home phone number (or other phone line) for VCO, into your VP. To use VCO, you have three options.
1)
VP with VCO
If you want to use your voice, choose VRS with VCO on your VP, and input the number of the Hearing person you want to call. The interpter will call you back on your home phone (or other phone line) and then place a 3-way call to the Hearing person. If the Hearing person does not understand your speech, you can sign to the interpreter, and the interpreter will voice.
2)
hovrsIM with VP with VCO
If you prefer, you can use hovrsIM with your VP with VCO, and if the Hearing person does not understand your speech, you can either sign or type to the interpreter, and the interpreter will voice.
3)
VP with VCO with STS
If you prefer, you can use your VP with VCO with STS (Speech-to-Speech). Choose VRS with VCO on your VP, and input the number of the STS service you want to use. (If you do not know the number for the STS service, use your TTY to call 7-1-1 and ask the operator what the toll-free number is for Speech-to-Speech.) The interpreter will call you on your home phone (or other phone line) and then place a 3-way call to the STS operator. A specially trained operator for people with speech disabilities will answer. The STS operator will ask you for the number of the Hearing person you want to call. Tell the STS operator your name (if you want), the number of the person you want to call, the name of the person (if you want), and tell the STS operator you have a speech disability and if you want the STS operator to repeat everything or only what is not understood. You do not have to call a Hearing person with this service. For example, you can also call a TTY user, with STS. STS is available in English, Spanish or French, and translation is available on request.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraysonPeddie
Well before I get a VP I'd have to learn ASL first, so I really wanted to let you know.
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Why not get a VP now? You can use hovrsIM to substitute typed English (or Spanish) for ASL you do not understand. If you do not understand the interpreter's ASL, you can ask the interpreter to type. If you do not know the sign for something, you can fingerspell it or type it to the interpreter.