Is your business using VRI the right way? Should I hire a face-to-face sign language interpreter? Well, the answers to these questions depend on what the use case is. For many businesses, video remote interpreting is an invaluable tool for communicating with their deaf employees or customers. However, in some cases this is simply not a good solution for interacting with deaf consumers. Understanding the difference is very important.
People with low vision cannot trust VRI
If the deaf consumer you need an ASL interpreter for has low vision, VRI simply won’t be a good solution. Many times this video service is displayed on a small screen and this will not make for a good user experience. If you know that the person requiring sign language interpreting services does not have good vision, you can probably save your money and opt for an in-person interpreter.
Live performances are not the best option either
When you consider a live performance, such as a concert or a large conference, there are some issues that arise. Conferences often require an attendee to move from room to room or booth to booth. This is very tricky if you are carrying a laptop or tablet and trying to locate it while on the go. Music concerts just don’t work because there is a delay between the music and the performer and there is no way to speed up the speed of the words being spoken. This really needs an in-person interpreter to deliver a quick and accurate message to the deaf person.
VRI is not for patients with behavioral problems
Some people may not have a good attention span and having to ask someone to look at a computer screen is very different than having a live interpreter in the room. Some computer equipment can be expensive and patients who have physical outbursts that may include dropping things may not be the best candidates for these services. Anyone with social, behavioral, or cognitive disorders will likely benefit most from live interpretation.
What are good use cases for video remote interpreting?
There are many great uses for video remote interpreting. Doctor visits, emergency rooms, job interviews, one-on-one meetings, and legal proceedings in remote locations are all great examples of highly functional use cases for VRI. No matter what the environment, it is ultimately up to the deaf person to let you know if communications are not working as planned. Often times, feedback from the deaf user can help you make an informed decision about when and when not to use VRI for sign language interpretation.