Vicdeaf - Video Relay Interpreting
Auslan Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) Service
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is setting up a Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) service and this is to tell you about the providers selected to deliver and support the service.
What is VRI?
How does VRI work?
How is a VRI set-up and where are they located?
Benefits of VRI
What is the Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) service?
The VRI service uses video cameras to provide sign language interpreting services without an interpreter present at the same location. A typical VRI setup may involve a Deaf person and a health professional at a VRI site in Bendigo, Loddon Mallee Region communicating with each other with the help of an interpreter based in Melbourne using a camera and screen at each location. The interpreter will interpret between the Deaf and hearing persons through the VRI service.
Who will deliver the VRI service?
Two providers were selected to establish and trial the VRI service. The providers are:
• Vantage Systems Pty Limited (Vantage) as the technology service provider; and
• the Victorian Deaf Society (Vicdeaf) as the Auslan interpreting service provider.
The delivery of the VRI service by Vantage and Vicdeaf will involve the following activities:
• setting up of the VRI infrastructure and technical support and maintenance of the infrastructure,
• training of staff at VRI sites on how to use the VRI equipment,
• provision of appropriately qualified and skilled Auslan interpreters to interpret through the VRI service, and
• promotion of the VRI service.
Who can access the VRI service?
DHS funded organisations will be able to access the service in two ways:
• through the existing arrangements for the DHS language services credit line (through ONCALL Interpreting and Translating Agency), and
• directly through Vicdeaf on a fee-for-service basis.
Other service providers and the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community will also be able to access the service directly through Vicdeaf on a fee-for-service basis. NOTE For the trial period only, free interpreting sessions will be available to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Trial of the VRI Service
The VRI service will be trialled for six months across six DHS-nominated sites from June to December 2009. The first 3 months of the trial involves setting up of the infrastructure, training, and development of promotional materials. The trial sites within project scope are:
• Carelink Bendigo, Loddon Mallee Region: 48 Queens Street
• Latrobe Community Health Service in Morwell, Gippsland Region: 81 – 85 Buckley Street
• Vicdeaf in Ballarat, Grampians Region: 15 Dawson Street South
• DHS Regional Office in Geelong, Barwon-South Western Region: Level 3, Corner Fenwick and Little Malop Street
• Vicdeaf – SLC VIC (Sign Language Communications Victoria) in East Melbourne: Level 3, 340 Albert Street
• ONCALL Interpreting and Translating Service (ONCALL) in Melbourne CBD: 3/3 Bowen Crescent, Room 1
* Other organisations will also be encouraged to connect to the dedicated network through the public internet and other means.
Training to support implementation of the trial
The training will be conducted by Kangan Batman TAFE through its Auslan and Deaf Studies Centre. The target group for the training will include sign language interpreters; Deaf and hard-of-hearing community members; staff at the VRI sites; other spoken language interpreters and other service providers accessing the VRI sites.
Promotion of the VRI service
An important measure of the success of the VRI service will be use of the service by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and service providers. Promoting awareness and understanding of the VRI service will be lead by Vicdeaf in partnership with key stakeholders, specifically Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities; the Victorian Council of Deaf People (VCOD); Deaf Children Australia (DCA); the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA) Vic; and deafaccess Victoria.
Evaluation of the VRI Service
The trial will be evaluated to examine the extent to which the VRI service has:
• improved timely access to Auslan interpreters,
• improved access to a greater range of services for Victoria’s Deaf communities, and
• reduced the cost of interpreting service delivery through a more efficient model.
The evaluation of the trial will be carried out by the consulting firm BSR Solutions. They will consider the views and experiences of a range of stakeholders when examining the effectiveness of the VRI service. Subject to the satisfactory outcomes of the evaluation, the VRI Service will be rolled out to additional sites.
Further information
Further information is available, including accessible formats, by contacting: Department of Human Services, Disability Services Division Ph: (03) 9096 7945 (using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required), or Email: auslanvri@dhs.vic.gov.au or SLC VIC Ph: (03) 9473 1146; TTY: (03) 9473 1199; Email: mcurtis@vicdeaf.com.au