ZVRS on iPhone 4 allows deaf to make phone calls to hearing people

Although many deaf and hard of hearing people use instant messaging, SMS and Internet-based relay on mobile phones, there are reasons that they must interact and communicate in a hearing world. Apple iPhone 4’s FaceTime opens doors for face-to-face communication; two people who use sign language can easily connect through FaceTime and communicate freely, yet isn’t an all new world for the deaf. To bridge the gap next week’s DeafNation World Expo in Las Vegas play host to ZVRS on iPhone 4, the world’s first video relay service (VRS) that allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to make phone calls to hearing people on a mobile handheld device.

zvrs on iphone 4 uses facetime

ZVRS calls can be placed on Apple’s iPhone 4, using its FaceTime software. VRS allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to have telephone conversations with hearing people. Using 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 (ASL) for the deaf/hard of hearing caller to see on screen. The service will be released to the public on July 26.

[Thanks for the tip Chris]