1. Consumers & Video Remote Interpreting
Howard A. Rosenblum Chief Executive Officer
National Association of the Deaf

2. Consumers’ view of VRI Legal Mandate Regulatory Requirements
Consumer Concerns
Best Practices

3. Legal Mandate Americans with Disabilities Act Title I:
Employers (w/ 15+ employees) must provide reasonable accommodations including interpreters
Titles II & III:
Medical, legal & educational service
providers must provide auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication

4. Regulatory Requirements
Auxiliary Aids & Services include:
“Qualified interpreters on-site or through
video remote interpreting (VRI) services” (28 CFR , )
•“Qualified interpreter” definition includes on- site and VRI (28 CFR 35.

5. Regulatory Requirements
VRI service minimum standards:
“(1) Real-time, full-motion video and
audio over a dedicated high-speed, wide bandwidth video connection or wireless connection that delivers high- quality video images that do not produce lags, choppy, blurry, or grainy images, or irregular pauses in communication”
(28 CFR (d)(1))

6. Regulatory Requirements
“(2) A sharply delineated image that is large enough to display the interpreter’s face, arms, hands and fingers, and the participating individual’s face, arms, hands and fingers, regardless of his or her body position”
(28 CFR (d)(2))

7. Regulatory Requirements
“(3) A clear, audible transmission of voices; and
“(4) Adequate training to users of the technology and other involved
individuals so that they may quickly and efficiently set up and operate the VRI” (28 CFR (d)(3) & (4))

8. Consumers’ Concerns 2-Dimensional versus 3-Dimensional
Positioning of VRI
Reliability of technology
Ability of tech staff to operate VRI
•Quality of interpreters, including regional signs & use of specialized vocabulary

9. Best Practices – Options
VRI not optimal for all situations
On-site interpreters as an option
•VRI as one option, possibly as temporary measure such as in medical
•Need to be prepared to address all VRI technological and personnel challenges

10. Best Practices – Options
Need to be prepared to address all VRI technological and personnel challenges (including back up equipment and 24/7 staff)
Need to ensure quality of interpreters match specialized language and regional signs

11. Questions?