Date Posted:
07/10/2010
Title:
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Can Communicate with Hearing Callers Using ZVRS on iPhone 4
Summary:
The Z™ will provide the world's first truly mobile video relay service (VRS), processing ZVRS calls on Apple's iPhone 4. The service will be released on July 26, which marks the 20th anniversary of the ADA.
Body:
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. [July 10, 2010] — CEO Sean Belanger announced today that The Z™ will provide the world’s first truly mobile video relay service (VRS), processing ZVRS calls on Apple’s iPhone 4. The service will be released on July 26, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
VRS allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to have telephone conversations with hearing people. Using a videophone with real-time video connection, an interpreter “relays” the conversation between the two parties: voicing what the deaf person is signing to the hearing caller and translating the spoken words into American Sign Language for the deaf/hard of hearing caller to see.
“We may not be the biggest VRS provider, but we are definitely the most innovative,” said Belanger. “We are dedicated to providing deaf and hard of hearing consumers with options that meet their personal communication needs. Over the past few years, we’ve introduced four videophones to the deaf market—by far, more than any other VRS company. Now, we will offer the ultimate breakthrough: VRS calls through iPhone 4.”
ZVRS calls will be handled through Apple’s FaceTime software, which is built into the iPhone 4’s operating system.
Belanger made the announcement and demonstrated a VRS call on iPhone 4 while accepting the Chief Executive Officer’s Award, which was presented to The Z™ during the National Association of the Deaf’s 50th biennial conference. Earlier in the week, approximately 400 special guests were treated to a sneak peek of the new technology during a private reception at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, president of Gallaudet University, was among the first to experience placing a VRS call on iPhone 4 at the event. Hurwitz, who has an older iPhone model, commented that he would need to upgrade to an iPhone 4 after seeing the demonstration.
“We are thrilled to continue moving deaf and hard of hearing people closer and closer toward true functional equivalency,” said Chris Wagner, vice president of marketing. “Hearing people can make phone calls any time, anywhere. Now, deaf and hard of hearing people can experience communication freedom like never before.”
For more information about ZVRS calls on iPhone 4, go to www.zvrs.com/iphone. To learn more about iPhone 4, go to www.apple.com/iphone.
(Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone, iPad, iMovie, iBooks, iPod touch and iTunes are trademarks of Apple.)