VRS for on-site jobs?

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tigrlily

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I was wondering what people thought of the idea of having VRS services expand into doing on-site jobs. In other words, a person with a video phone goes into a real-estate agent's office, sits down with the agent, calls the VRS relay service, sets the video phone on the desk, and has the interpreter at the relay service voice for her (through a speaker on the phone, or a separate phone connection). Then when the real estate agent says something, the interpreter signs.

This could add the factor of anonymity to people living in small towns, when using an interpreter 1,000 miles away who's never met either party. And obviously it saves money on travel time, as well as making 'terps available for smaller jobs.

Funding for this service could come from the usual sources who are supposed to pay for sign language interpreting, a surcharge or per-minute charge on business phone accounts, or other creative outlets. And it wouldn't be the Deaf person having to trace the funding, but the relay service (with its economic resources and clout).

just an idea ...Let the discussion begin!
be well
-AH
 
That would be VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) and not VRS. VRS is strictly for phone calls where Deaf person and hearing person are in seperate locations. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) will not pay VRS providers for doing VRI. If you call VRS and they know that Deafie and hearie in the same place they will NOT interpret the phone call for you. It is a violation of the FCC regulation.

Ther reason being is that those businesses (a realtor, for example) are required by law to hire qualified interpreters. It is illegal for them to 'cheat' and use a VP and VRS interpreter when you are both in the same room.
 
VRI vs. VRS

THE other reason why this is not a good idea is just because you have a qualified/certified interpreter with VRS not all terps would accept a job interpreting at a closing. if you called a terp and asked for one to do that job you would be sure to get one who wants to do that job. on vrs the terps have no choice, they have to interprete for you and maybe they know nothing about buying a house.
 
Right you are.

The closing attorney is responsible for the terp fee. The fee should not come out of the VRS money pot.

I've interpreted real estate closings, and the lawyers required me to sign a form proving that the transaction was interpreted. A VRS terp can't do that. A VRI terp might be able to do that if arrangements are made at both ends but then the VRI terp isn't anonymous like a VRS terp. The furthest I drove for a closing assignment was 100 miles (one way).
 
I just noticed that tigrlily is from Canada and has a commercial interest. That might put a different spin on the situation.
 
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