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The City of Olathe is now offering new video phone service to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at no charge at City facilities.
Video phones promote independence for Deaf and Hard of Hearing users and increase their ability to communicate more naturally and effectively in their every day lives. They utilize new video technology combined with the concept of traditional voice relay to provide more real-time communication for deaf or hard of hearing users.
Video phones are available at no cost to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, at the following City of Olathe locations:
Olathe Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office, 201 N. Cherry
Olathe Municipal Services Center, 1385 S. Robinson
Olathe Fire Administration and Life Safety Services, 1225 S. Hamilton Circle (installation scheduled to be complete later this week)
A video phone operates similarly to traditional TTY service, but with a video camera connecting the deaf or hard of hearing user visually to the relay operator at the video relay service (VRS) who voices the information to the hearing party. Video phones also can connect two deaf or hard of hearing users directly if both users have video phones.
When calling the VRS, the Deaf or Hard of Hearing user is connected with a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who assists in completing calls to places such as banks, doctor's offices, or restaurants. A hearing person can initiate a call by calling the VRS on a toll free number.
One key benefit of the video phone is that the deaf or hard of hearing user and the interpreter are visible to each other throughout the conversation. This allows for a more natural flow of conversation enabling the user to see reactions, laughter and even interruptions if necessary. The most notable difference for a hearing user is that traditional TTY commands like "GA"-Go Ahead (it's your turn) and "SK"-Stop Keying (ready to hang up now) are no longer needed because the interpreter's actions can convey these terms.
The video phones are connected to a television via high speed Internet connection. The cost of the video relay service is covered through funds currently being collected by local phone companies on all their customers' monthly bills. This is the same surcharge that pays for traditional voice relay services.
Olathe has been home to the Kansas School for the Deaf for over 100 years. The city boasts of a strong Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and is proud of the services offered.
The City of Olathe is now offering new video phone service to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at no charge at City facilities.
Video phones promote independence for Deaf and Hard of Hearing users and increase their ability to communicate more naturally and effectively in their every day lives. They utilize new video technology combined with the concept of traditional voice relay to provide more real-time communication for deaf or hard of hearing users.
Video phones are available at no cost to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, at the following City of Olathe locations:
Olathe Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office, 201 N. Cherry
Olathe Municipal Services Center, 1385 S. Robinson
Olathe Fire Administration and Life Safety Services, 1225 S. Hamilton Circle (installation scheduled to be complete later this week)
A video phone operates similarly to traditional TTY service, but with a video camera connecting the deaf or hard of hearing user visually to the relay operator at the video relay service (VRS) who voices the information to the hearing party. Video phones also can connect two deaf or hard of hearing users directly if both users have video phones.
When calling the VRS, the Deaf or Hard of Hearing user is connected with a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who assists in completing calls to places such as banks, doctor's offices, or restaurants. A hearing person can initiate a call by calling the VRS on a toll free number.
One key benefit of the video phone is that the deaf or hard of hearing user and the interpreter are visible to each other throughout the conversation. This allows for a more natural flow of conversation enabling the user to see reactions, laughter and even interruptions if necessary. The most notable difference for a hearing user is that traditional TTY commands like "GA"-Go Ahead (it's your turn) and "SK"-Stop Keying (ready to hang up now) are no longer needed because the interpreter's actions can convey these terms.
The video phones are connected to a television via high speed Internet connection. The cost of the video relay service is covered through funds currently being collected by local phone companies on all their customers' monthly bills. This is the same surcharge that pays for traditional voice relay services.
Olathe has been home to the Kansas School for the Deaf for over 100 years. The city boasts of a strong Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and is proud of the services offered.
