Leveraging Technology & Innovation For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Persons in the Federal Sector Brad Leon Vice president & Chief Sales Officer Access Interpreting, Inc.

History Introduction to challenges getting access in the workplace for D/HH employees Pen/Paper Isolation Corporate Ladder = Success

The American Disabilities Act Kick started by Gallaudet University’s Deaf President Now (DPN) movement Introduced by Senator Tom Hawkins and signed by George Bush in 1990 Technology: TTY, Video Relay Service, Captioning: TV and Movie Theatres Employment: (Only to those places with 15 or more employees) provide interpreters for interviews, meetings, and various employment functions Public space/service (15 or more employers does not apply): Interpreters required for any public address toward the community including public services such as the police department.

What ADA Provides Deaf/HH Mandated interpreters for equal communication Allowed for technology companies to expand their offerings to the disability community

Implementation Ground Work/Foundation for companies working within the Federal Sector providing services to Deaf H/H Increased benefits of readily available technologies in the workplace Two new Innovative technologies (uSked & AVIA) *Both utilized at NIH and other Federal/Commercial Sites* ADA – I moved this here because yes it is important to mention it, but I think its redundant to have in the actual text again.

What is it?

uSked Requirements Computer: Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X Mobile: iOS 8 or later, or Marshmallow or later Software: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, uSked app from the Apple App Store or Google Play

uSked Web-Based

uSked – App Based

uSked – App Based

Benefits Employee Create, edit, cancel service requests independent from anyone else Control independence and choice (Federal Ladder) DNS/Preferred List Cutting Edge Technology Support

Benefits Agency Reduce errors = $$ Reduce Overhead = $$ Reporting Metrics (100’s of various report’s) By Departments, Service Lines By Time, Date or Individual Access to latest and greatest inventions such as the uSked app Allow for individuals to have self-independence and rights with respect to choices.

Video Remote Interpreting

What is VRI? VRI stands for Video Remote Interpreting. VRI joins the benefit of face-to-face interpretation with the on-demand nature of the Internet. A VRI situation is where two parties are in the same location and need an interpreter to communicate effectively. They place a call via the Internet to an interpreter who facilitates a conversation between the two parties. This can happen on demand or for a pre-scheduled event. I think having all of the content on the slide was too “wordy” and you should have it in your notes to remember to explain it a bit more clearly.

How AVIA Works Prescheduled (2 Hours in Advance) On Demand Log up to 5 min early to prepare your interpreter for the prescheduled meeting Add a preferred List of Interpreters Add a DNS list Add Prep Information; PowerPoints, Excel, Agenda, Etc… Select a preferred gender On Demand Up to 3 minutes to connect meeting Here I would make a note to yourself to remember to mention that even though VRI has been available technological advancements has allowed for the development of on-demand and app based VRI

AVIA Requirements Computer: Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X Mobile: iOS 8 or later, or Marshmallow or later Software: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, AVIA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play

Once connected, you will see your AVIA interpreter. What It Looks Like Once connected, you will see your AVIA interpreter. Privacy – Click the self-view video box to enable video and audio privacy. Session Time – This counter shows the length of time for your current conversation. Text Chat – Click to activate the chat field and type messages to your AVIA interpreter as needed.

Market and Usage Research of AVIA at NIH AVIA Pilot Market and Usage Research of AVIA at NIH We conducted focus groups to get a better sense of how AVIA could be best utilized in a federal workplace. The following are the results that we found and think they can be applied across all venues.

Pilot Results- NIH Best Uses for AVIA: Last minute needs Small group meetings Water cooler conversations Meetings less than 60 minutes Deaf or Hearing users can initiate a conversation

Pilot Results- What Does it Mean? Supplement to the onsite interpreters Guaranteed access Potential Cost Savings Deaf Empowerment in the workplace “Anytime, Anywhere” Guaranteed Access – Means you are always in compliance with ADA “Anytime, Anywhere” – convenience

Final Thoughts Innovation & technology can be as valuable as you allow it to be. Access strives to promote and include it in our everyday lives. Over 70% of our internal staff are Deaf. As we strive to promote and implement technology in our everyday environments, we will level the playing field for all individuals, allowing equal access for all within every federal agency. uSked and AVIA adopted throughout Federal and Commercial sectors.

QUESTIONS? Thank you for your time! For additional information contact Brad Leon at bleon@ainterpreting.com