Media Contacts:
Hands On News Bureau
Traci Kantowski, 630-871-6613
Terry Lee, 202-478-9643 HOVRSNews@carryonpr.com
HANDS ON VIDEO RELAY SERVICES, INC. LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE OUTREACH PARTNER PROGRAM TO SERVE STATE DEAF ASSOCIATIONS
District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina Associations of the Deaf First to Join Program Offering Free Video Relay Services
ROCKLIN, CA, October 10, 2007 - Hands On Video Relay Services, a prominent and growing provider of video relay services, launched today its custom Outreach Partner Program designed for state deaf and hard of hearing associations. National Association of the Deaf affiliates in District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina are the first to partner with Hands On VRS and offer their constituents free video relay services.
We are committed to breaking down barriers between the deaf and hearing communities, said Ronald Obray, chief executive officer and founder, Hands On VRS. Our new Outreach Partner Program helps organizations create an environment where they can grow their membership and expand their important services for deaf and hard of hearing members.
Through the Outreach Partner Program, Hands On VRS will provide funding to help organizations outreach efforts based on member sign-ups and VRS calls. In addition to their participation in the program, Hands On VRS will provide co-branded video relay services through GAD, KAD, NCAD and SCAD. The VRS partnership will offer thousands of Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina deaf and hard of hearing residents the ability to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL) when making telephone calls. Hands On VRS enables deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to conduct free video relay calls with family, friends, and business associates through a qualified American Sign Language interpreter and Hands On VRS videophone, TV and high-speed Internet connection. The deaf user sees an interpreter on his or her TV and signs to the interpreter, who then contacts the hearing user via a standard phone line and relays the conversation between the two parties.
Funding for VRS is provided via the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Fund, which was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as a result of their mandate in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), to facilitate the provisions equal access to individuals with disabilities over the telephone networks.
"Hands On VRS has a long history of providing deaf and hard of hearing organizations with means of self-empowerment through the use of innovative communication technologies, said Paul Singleton, director, government and association sales. Im honored to lead a program dedicated to ensuring telecommunication functional equality thats so true to the American with Disabilities Act spirit.
State associations can join the Hands On Outreach Partner Program by contacting Paul Singleton at psingleton@hovrs.com.