CRTC Launches Canada Video Relay Service

Deaf News: CRTC press releases "Video Relay Service: A new communications era in Canada."

OTTAWA - GATINEAU -- Today on September, 28, 2016 the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) joins the Canadian Administrator of the Video Relay Service (VRS) to launch this service during an event at the Museum of History, in the National Capital Region, along with the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.

The launch of the VRS opens a new communications era in Canada that will simplify communications between Canadians who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Impaired and other Canadians, and vice versa.

This made-for-Canada service enhances the ability of Canadian’s whose first language is American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) to participate fully in Canada’s communication system, and in Canadian society more broadly.

In October 2013, the CRTC held one of the most accessible public hearings in its history, during which Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Speech-Impaired Canadians spoke about how video relay service would make an important difference in their lives - as seen on this video in ASL with closed captions.

Quick Facts - It is estimated that there will be some 20,000 users of the Video Relay Service.

There is no charge to use the Video Relay Service. However, the service requires high-speed Internet access and an Internet-enabled device (e.g. a computer, smartphone, or tablet) that supports videoconferencing.

People who want to use the service can contact SRV Canada VRS to register.

The administrator, who is independent of the CRTC, manages the Video Relay Service and ensures its proper operation.

More details, please visit the CAV website: http://cav-acs.ca

“We believe people with disabilities should be able to fully participate in Canadian life as easily as anyone else. I understand what a difference it makes in a person’s life when they have the tools they need to succeed. So I am very pleased to see the launch of Canada’s Video Relay Service. This is a big step in the right direction.” - Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

“The implementation of the Video Relay Service will have a concrete and positive impact on the lives of Canadians who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. The CRTC appreciates all the efforts put forth to ensure the success of this new service. This initiative illustrates strongly Canada’s vision for an inclusive society which values equality of opportunity.” - Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC.

Related Products:
SRV Canada VRS
Policies, Decisions and Orders for Accessible Phone Services

SOURCE

Follow @CAV:
Facebook - https://facebook.com/canadavrssrv
Official Site - http://cav-acs.ca

Related Canada VRS:
CRTC Approves Video Relay Service In Canada
Deaf Canadians Launches VRS Petition
Deaf Canadians Put Pressure On CRTC
Canada VRS Rally

Related Video Relay Service:
Exclusive Interview Ed Bosson 'Father of VRS'
Video Relay Service For Deaf - Phone Sex Scene
Fapping Guy Calls Deaf Video Service 4,000 Times
@Video Relay Service

CRTC Approves Video Relay Service In Canada

CRTC announces the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across Canada will have access to new video relay service.

OTTAWA, Ontario -- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC announced on April 22, 2014, that video relay services (VRS) will now be available in Canada for Deaf people who communicate in American Sign Language ASL and Langue des signes québécoise LSQ.

Video relay services enable callers to use the services of a sign language interpreter through the Internet. The interpreter interprets spoken English into sign for the deaf caller, and voices into English the signs of the Deaf caller.

“Many Canadians who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired learn American Sign Language or Langue des signes québécoise early in life," Peter Menzies, Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications, and Chairman of the hearing panel.

"In many cases, neither English nor French is their first language. Video relay service will make it possible for them to communicate in sign language with ease, whether it’s to make a doctor’s appointment, speak to a friend or make any other type of call. At the same time, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that this service is introduced in an efficient manner and as quickly as possible.”

Users will require their own high-speed Internet service and a device connected to the Internet such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, or videophone. Additional services such as call display and voicemail will be billed at rates similar to those charged by other service providers.

An independent administrator will be created to supervise the implementation and provision of video relay services and ensure that the views of users are taken into account during the decision-making process. The CRTC will review the video relay service three years after it has been launched to determine whether the service is efficiently meeting the needs of Canadians.

The CRTC is requiring that VRS become available to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing or speech impaired as early as the fall of 2015. The VRS service is offered at no charge, but users must sign up to use it. People who want to use the service can use their own phone number to access VRS. An estimated 20,000 Canadians will be the primary users of VRS... Read More.

Chris Kenopic Vlog On CRTC VRS Announcement:

"CRTC announces that Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired people across Canada will have access to new telecommunications services in 2015! Chris Kenopic, president and CEO of the Canadian Hearing Society, delivers a vlog on VRS in Canada."

What If... The Quest for VRS in Canada:

"The BCVRS Committee has co-produced a short documentary-drama film with Lenois Productions. It speaks directly to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commissioners about the reality of TTY vs. VRS in the Deaf community of Canada."

Funding to support video relay service in Canada will be taken from the National Contribution Fund, and will be capped at CAD 30 million annually. To ensure the perspectives of users are reflected in the decision making process, an independent administrator will be created to oversee the implementation and provision of video relay service... Read More.

Related Canada VRS:
CRTC Launches Canada Video Relay Service
CRTC Approves Video Relay Service In Canada
Deaf Canadians Launches VRS Petition
Deaf Canadians Put Pressure On CRTC
Canada VRS Rally

Related Video Relay Service:
Exclusive Interview Ed Bosson 'Father of VRS'
Video Relay Service For Deaf - Phone Sex Scene
Fapping Guy Calls Deaf Video Service 4,000 Times

Related Posts: #VideoRelayService

Deaf Canadians Put Pressure On CRTC

Deaf Canadians community put pressure on CRTC in American Sign Language translation service.

OTTAWA - GATINEAU -- A handful of Deaf people and supporters gathered in front of the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) building in Regina on Friday, taking part in one of nine rallies across Canada in support of making Video Relay Services (VRS) available.. Read More.

CALGARY -- More than hundreds Deaf people and their supporters rallied outside offices of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Friday. They want the CRTC to continue providing a free service that allows Deaf people to use visual phones and sign language.. Read More.

VANCOUVER -- The Deaf community wants government to fund a specialized service so Deaf people can communicate by telephone just the same as hearing-enabled people. Video Relay System, or VRS, was provided on an 18-month trial to 311 Deaf people in B.C. and Alberta but the funding runs out Jan. 15, hanging up the service, for the short term, at least. It was funded with a fee levied against all Canadian telephone customers. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission contracted Telus to do trials, then make its recommendations... Read More.

Related Canada VRS:
CRTC Launches Canada Video Relay Service
CRTC Approves Video Relay Service In Canada
Deaf Canadians Launches VRS Petition
Deaf Canadians Put Pressure On CRTC
Canada VRS Rally

Related Video Relay Service:
Exclusive Interview Ed Bosson 'Father of VRS'
Video Relay Service For Deaf - Phone Sex Scene
Fapping Guy Calls Deaf Video Service 4,000 Times

Related Posts: #VideoRelayService

CANADA VRS RALLY

Deaf Canadians awareness-raising campaign the video relay service rally.

CANADA -- Let's start a rally at the CRTC office on January 13rd, 2012 across Canada. Please watch Tien Verstraete's comment in the video. Please spread this video into the Deaf community to support the VRS in Canada.

Canada VRS Article:
canada.com/Service+allows+deaf+talk+telephone/5891617/story.

Related Canada VRS:
CRTC Launches Canada Video Relay Service
CRTC Approves Video Relay Service In Canada
Deaf Canadians Launches VRS Petition
Deaf Canadians Put Pressure On CRTC
Canada VRS Rally

Related Video Relay Service:
Exclusive Interview Ed Bosson 'Father of VRS'
Video Relay Service For Deaf - Phone Sex Scene
Fapping Guy Calls Deaf Video Service 4,000 Times

Related Posts: #VideoRelayService