You've Received a Call from a Deaf Person, Now What?
The phone rings and you answer.
The caller is deaf/hard of hearing.
The call is coming through a Video Relay System. You hear the voice of a sign language interpreter.
Now what?
How it works
When a deaf/hard of hearing person places a call through ZP, the call is routed through a sign language interpreter. The interpreter translates the conversation using sign language.
When you receive a call from a deaf/hard of hearing caller, sometimes you are informed there is an interpreter facilitating the conversation: “This is ZVRS/Purple interpreter 5555…”
Some deaf/hard of hearing individuals use a process called Voice Carry Over (VCO). This means the individual speaks directly to the caller and the interpreter translates what is being spoken by the hearing person in return.
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You may experience a slight delay as the entire conversation is being translated back and forth in real time. Otherwise, it is just like any other call!
The interpreter is visible to the deaf/hard of hearing caller using software via two options:
Do You Need to Speak Slower?
When you first receive a call from a deaf/hard of hearing person, you may feel as if you must speak slower. ?
Our advice? Speak as you normally do. Interpreters are highly-skilled and able to translate conversations at a regular pace. If a conversation proceeds much faster than it can be processed, the interpreter or the deaf/hard of hearing caller will indicate when the pace needs to be slowed down.
Years ago, phone conversations between deaf/hard of hearing and hearing callers were difficult at best and impossible for some. Today’s technology has bridged the gap and made communication accessible for both parties. ?
Visit zpconnect.com for more information.