SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwired - Jan 11, 2016) - In 2015, Sorenson Communications® sponsored more than 700 interpreting workshops that were attended by nearly 4,700 American Sign Language (ASL) video interpreters (VIs). Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were awarded to those who qualified, totaling more than 120,000 contact hours of instruction.
The largest employer of ASL interpreters in the U.S., Sorenson offers trainings to provide opportunities for Sorenson employees to hone their skills and stay abreast of the latest training while earning CEUs needed to maintain professional certification status. CEUs enable VIs to continue to work as professional ASL interpreters, either through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or a state certifying agency, such as the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters.
"In an effort to deliver the best technology and interpreting experience to our customers, Sorenson provides a variety of training, educational and professional development opportunities for interpreters employed by the company," notes Chris Wakeland, Sorenson Communications vice president of interpreting. "By offering training to enhance their skills, we are not only bolstering our interpreters' growth and development, but also supporting the communication needs of our deaf VRS customers."
Sorenson is the leading Video Relay Service (VRS) provider for people who are deaf and who use sign language to communicate.
In 2016, Sorenson will begin offering more webinar-based workshops. VIs will be able to join trainings from anywhere there is an internet connection and then participate with fellow Sorenson VIs, who perform the same work in one of Sorenson's 100-plus interpreting centers located throughout the country. Other professional development opportunities for Sorenson interpreters will continue to include e-learning and distance-based educational opportunities.
Amy Kalmus, Sorenson Communications director of professional development and training, says, "Since most ASL interpreters perform both VRS and community interpreting work, when we enhance the skills of interpreters who work for Sorenson, we are also providing more adept ASL interpreters for local communities."
About Sorenson Communications
Sorenson Communications® (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications products and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The company's offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS®), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson ntouch® VP videophone, designed especially for use by deaf individuals; ntouch® PC, software that connects users to SVRS by using a PC and webcam; ntouch® for Mac®, software that connects users to SVRS by using an Apple® computer; ntouch® Tablet, which turns the Apple iPad® with a front-facing camera into a larger-screen mobile VP; and ntouch® Mobile, an application empowering SVRS communication via mobile devices.
Disclaimer
If you choose Sorenson as your default provider, you can port your existing 10-digit number to Sorenson from another provider or Sorenson can provide you with one for the geographic area where you live or work. If you later change your default provider, you can port your number to that provider. When selecting Sorenson, you must provide to Sorenson the physical address (i.e., the Registered Location) from which you are placing the call, so that Sorenson can properly route any 911 calls you may make. If you move or change your location, you must notify Sorenson immediately. You can update your Registered Location from your Sorenson videophone by calling 800-659-4810 or by visiting www.svrs.com/moving. Sorenson will confirm receipt of your Registered Location information. Emergency calls made via internet-based TRS may not function the same as traditional E911 service. For example, you may not be able to dial 911 if there is an internet-service failure or if you lose electrical power, and your 911 call may not be routed correctly if you have not updated your Registered Location. For more information on the process of obtaining 10-digit numbers and the limitations and risks associated with using Sorenson's VRS to place a 911 call, please visit Sorenson's website: www.sorenson.com/disclaimer. For information on toll-free numbering, please visit www.svrs.com/tollfree.