Rate Cuts, Speed-of-Answer Requirements Cause VRS Concerns, Sorenson Says
Rate cuts and the adoption of speed-of-answer requirements have demoralized video relay service (VRS) interpreters and made it a less attractive setting for them, Sorenson Communications said in an FCC filing posted Thursday related to docket 10-51. Sorenson Communications is…
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a provider of communications products and services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Sorenson said the 2010 rate cuts and attendant closing of several interpreting centers also contributed to the problem. It said the small stream of new graduates in the field is not enough to fill the VRS openings. Also, further scheduled rate cuts will perpetuate the downward spiral, threatening the ability of VRS providers to provide functionally equivalent service, Sorenson said in the filing.