HANDS ON VIDEO RELAY SERVICES INTRODUCES
“HOVRS EN ESPAÑOL”
Partnership with ASL Services Delivers Spanish-Language Video Relay Service
with an Emphasis on the Deaf and Latino Communities
ROCKLIN, CA
– March 22, 2006 –
Hands On VRS (www.hovrs.com), a
leading provider of video relay services, today announced the availability of
its newest service, HOVRS en Español. The new service allows a person who communicates using American Sign Language (ASL) to
connect to Spanish-speaking friends, family, and co-workers through the video
relay services (VRS) offered by Hands On VRS. Hearing
Spanish speakers can contact ASL users directly through HOVRS en Español using
a toll-free number.
“HOVRS en Español” is being delivered to customers in
partnership with ASL Services Inc. (ASLS), one of the nation’s premier sign
language interpreting firms and a specialist in addressing the needs of the
Spanish-speaking community.
Deaf people can access HOVRS en Español 24-hours-a-day
from a web browser, or by using VideoSign 2.5 software on a PC, iChat software
on a Mac, or from a videophone. Users simply select the Spanish language
option, and are automatically connected to a bi-lingual, an ASLS interpreter
who is conversant in American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish. Hearing Spanish
speakers can also contact ASL users directly through a Spanish-only, toll free
phone number (877-467-4875). Each method provides smooth communication flow
between the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing signer using ASL and the hearing contact
who speaks Spanish.
“Historically, ASL users who needed to communicate with
their Spanish-speaking family or friends have been bypassed by the benefits of
VRS communication,” said Ronald Obray, president of Hands On VRS. “We created
HOVRS en Español to connect these VRS users to Spanish speakers, and to make
this the fastest, highest quality connection possible. ASLS’ nearly 15 years of
experience in serving both the Deaf and Hispanic communities is critical to
making this a reality for our customers.”
Founded in 1992, ASLS’ unique awareness of both the Deaf
and Hispanic cultures, combined with its proven expertise in ASL interpreting,
have made it the English-Spanish interpreting service of choice for government,
university, medical, and entertainment businesses throughout the southeast
United States. ASLS is also a leading provider of interpreting services in
Puerto Rico through its sister company, ASLS Latino.
“Hands On VRS is a great partner for ASLS because they
are as focused on delivering high quality VRS services, as they are in
supporting the Deaf, Hearing and interpreting communities in which they
operate,” said Angela Roth, president of ASLS.
“The ASLS team shares this passion for delivering a quality service
responsibly, and we’re pleased that our Spanish-speaking Video Interpreters are
a part of this important communication service.” Angela Roth is also the president of Mano a Mano, the national association of interpreters working in
Spanish-language influenced communities.
Availability
HOVRS en Español
is available now. Spanish-speaking callers can reach ASL users directly by
dialing 877-467-4875 and providing the operator with the ASL user’s extension.
ASL users can access the service by visiting
www.hovrs.com,
from a PC or Mac, or from a Videophone by adding espanol.hovrs.tv to the
address book.
To see HOVRS en Español
in action, visit the HOVRS en Español
booth at the DeafNation Expo in Orlando, Florida, on March 18, 2006. The HOVRS
booth will also be demonstrating English VRS and other relay options. See the
DeafNation web site for details (www.deafnation.com).
About ASLS
ASL Services, Inc., Inc. is an industry leader in providing professional sign
language interpreting services throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
ASL Services, Inc. also provides a full range of community, educational and
artistic services as well as interpreting for cruises, major theme parks and
conventions nationwide. For more
information, visit their website at www.aslservices.com.
About Hands On
Hands On is a leader in providing Video Relay Services and community
interpreting services. The company has been serving the needs of the Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing community since 1992. Hands On is committed to removing
communication barriers for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. For more information,
visit www.hovrs.com.
