VRS

VRS stands for Video Relay Service. It is how Steven and I communicate by telephone. The FCC is considering a rate decrease that could devastate the VRS industry. I will write another blog post tomorrow about how it all works...this is what I wrote on the FCC's comment website.

I am writing as both a consumer of VRS services and as the spouse of a VRS company employee. I am disturbed to hear that you are considering lowering the rates you pay to VRS companies for the services they provide. Although I am not that old, I grew up without the convenience of having a TTY and depended on my family members to make phone calls for me. I got my first TTY in college and while that was a great help to fostering my independence, it was slow, cumbersome and still somewhat limiting as I could not take a TTY with me when I left the house. When I got a videphone, communication became so much easier! Advances in technology allowed me to get a local number/10 digit number which makes filling out forms for doctors, dentists, schools, etc. so much easier. Instead of having to write out an explanation of what VRS is and how to make a call (call this number, wait for the operator then give them this number), I can simply write a normal phone number and anyone can call me without having to go through the cumbersome process of dialing one number and then giving another number. I have been fortunate that I have not needed to call 911 for emergency services but I feel comfort knowing that that service is there if I need it, and I don’t have to depend on my hearing children to make a 911 call for me. My family members also enjoy being able to call me and carry on a normal conversation without the delays experienced when we were communicating by TTY relay services. Having mobile IP relay services allows pagers to function as a cell phone—if I were out and about and my children’s school needed to contact me, they could do so. I have seen great improvements in the technology as well as the quality/training of interpreters which makes the whole VRS experience pleasant.

I am also the spouse of a VRS company employee. The proposed rate decreases will seriously affect these companies’ ability to run their businesses, potentially putting a great many people out of work. Many of my husband’s co workers are deaf. Their company has provided a great place to work—good wages, a stable company, and the benefit of open communication, to name a few. In a time when so many other companies are laying off workers and these people are trying to find new jobs, why add to the number of unemployed people? These workers are productive citizens that pay taxes and support their communities with their disposable income. If these people were laid off, all that money would be lost, thus the communities suffer too.

I am aware that several companies have been investigated for fraud. This is disturbing; however; my husband’s company has never been seriously investigated for or accused of fraud. They have a well managed company with well trained interpreters and support staff. They have the infrastructure to manage the great number of VRS calls they take daily, and they have contributed greatly to the Deaf community. To take this away would be devastating on many levels.

I ask you to consider not just maintaining the current rates, but to increase them! The advances in quality, service, technology, training and availability have enhanced the quality of life for myself, my husband, and many of our friends. I also encourage you to consider making the rates permanent so the VRS companies can continue to grow and progress and provide ever-better products and services for us who depend on them. Please do your part to help us maintain our forward progress.

Sincerely,
Merilee Swain