VRS vs VRI: Aren’t They the Same Service?

Written by Bethany Jamison, NIC Every industry comes with distinct vernacular! A common misconception specific to the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Community is that the use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is the same as using Video Relay Services (VRS). Although both types of service are provided via a digital platform and use similar equipment, these services are quite different. Let’s take a closer look. According to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) website, “ VRS, like other forms of Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) allows persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) to communicate through the telephone system with hearing persons. The VRS caller, using a television or a computer with a video camera device and a broadband (high-speed) Internet connection, contacts a VRS caller, who is a qualified interpreter. They communicate with each other in sign language through a video link. The VRS ca...