Thursday, November 15, 2007

VRS + DEAF PEOPLE = SUCKERS?

VRS Companies like Sorenson, CSDVRS, Hamilton, etc. makes millions of dollars in profit by having you to use their VRS. They only give a very small percentage of the profit back to the Deaf Community. No question that there is a need for better job placement services, educational workshops or social services for the deaf people across the country. Instead, hearing VRS owners have enjoyed their rich lifestyle with their huge profits.

CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION OF DAY:

Instead of using VRS to make hearing VRS owners rich, should deaf community set up their own VRS service as a non-profit organization so they can invest 100% of the revenues to create better life for deaf people?

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Just to be clear CSDVRS has a deaf chairman of the board. More than half of the CSDVRS full time employees are deaf. 2 senior VPs are deaf, Tim Rarus and Chris Wagner a third is a CODA. CSDVRS contributes back on a monthly basis to the deaf community. We have involved deaf only organizations now with their one brands setting them up to market VRS and profit from that. CSDVRS has grown at 70% this year but is just now at break even. There are no "millions". We will continue to put the deaf community first because we believe in that and we believe in the end that will be best for our business.

Sean Belanger CEO CSDVRS

Mike said...

Perhaps it'd be better to do away with these technologies and services so deaf people won't have to worry about the "millions" in profits (NOT) these companies make?

These are relatively new services over the last few years. Investments are made initially and takes awhile until a company breaks even.

Sean makes a point on the number of deaf/hh people these companies hire and keep. And that these communication services have proved already valuable to those who need them.

Anonymous said...

relevant question. alot of deaf people work in VRS industry - the modern version of "printing" from the past. But money back into deaf community could increase.

A good ruckus to discuss.

Anonymous said...

Many installers/trainers, managers, officers, tech support, for Sorenson Communications are deaf. CSDVRS most worker are hearing but they also help the deaf community for different places such as social worker, mental health, etc..to service deaf 's needs. Long distance calls for deaf to all over the world are free. they hire spanish language sign users. Repair, upgrade, replace, devices, routers, cords, etc are no charge to the deaf people. You should appreciate their support to meet the deaf community's need for our equal access. Many more! Thanks

OCDAC said...

I encourage as many as deaf state organizations to set up their own VRS programs.

It will provide them with the hard cash needed for their advocacy and blow off the hearing organizations that are taking advantage the special needs of the deaf communities.

Richard Roehm

Aaron said...

This seems kinda weird to me. If someone, hearing or deaf, is providing you with a service that you find valuable and making a profit from it in the process, what is the problem?

Let's say companies made huge dollars from adding captions to TV and movies. I would still be happy because I need captions, and we live in a world where people dont always feel the need to cater to minorities (e.g. where were all the captions 10 years ago?)

I understand that it's nice when companies go above and beyond to help the Deaf community, but why would you feel this is *required*? It's business. In my opinion, good communication access comes before the politics behind it. I am thankful so many people have our needs in mind personally.

That being said, praise to the companies that hire Deaf/HoH and realize we're every bit as capable as our hearing counterparts.

Anonymous said...

Do you have proof that VRS is used to make VRS owners rich and that CSDVRS, Sorenson, and others have not ever donated their money to deaf organizations? I'd like to see it, because I know Sorenson and CSDVRS have both donated pretty large amounts into the deaf community.

And deaf communities have already set up their own VRS services as non-profits. I use CADVRS, which helps the California Association of the Deaf, a non-profit that supports deaf education and other deaf programs in the state.

Anonymous said...

Sean,

But u are making the employees rich. I saw newspaper article that ben sokup makes 850,000 and other incompetent vp makes over 100,000 so csdvrs pay rich employees more than investing the deaf community.

Most deaf people works in vrs industry are subcontractors not employees so they are not entitled to have nice fancy benefits such as health insurance, vacation, retirement plam like these rich employees have.

Anonymous said...

So What! every businesses does make profits. What bugging you?
These deaf who ride high horse tell deafies what to buy due to there is some cases about being deaf mix with wrong business. for example,Can't I buy Ford because they factory moved to Mexico and pay rate rather cheaper than pay in US and we still buy Ford.
Bill Gates profited by you suckers. Why not have Walmart store run by non profit state organizations? That is communist!

Anonymous said...

The relay system is an ingenious way to direct money from the hearing world into the deaf community. (It’s funded by small fees on everyone’s phone bills.)

In turn, the relay companies use some of the money to support various deaf community programs and events, such as the DeafNation Expo, ASL Expo and DeafRead.com.

My own business, Deafweekly, would most likely not exist without the sponsorship of several relay companies.

My concern is what will happen when several companies get gobbled up by a few. For example, GoAmerica (i711.com) is or has acquired HOVRS and IP-Relay. I seldom see GoAmerica listed as a sponsor of anything.

What happens when there are only one or two relay companies left and those companies are not interested in sharing the wealth with the community they serve?

On a related note, I cannot recall EVER hearing of any interpreter referral agency giving anything back to the deaf community.

Anonymous said...

FYI - HOVRS pays average $43-47 per hour to Video Interpreter (VI). They make millions of dollars into the pockets.

If Deaf are without being installer, Interpreter wont go to Deaf people's homes to install videophone. They just keep their cleaning hands to interpret in the nice office. Deaf people who installers are suckers because of being paid $50 per a installment.

FCC pays average $360 to $420 per a hour to the company if VI logs in.

$50 dollars per an installment? That is ripped off for sure.

Two cents worth!

Anonymous said...

Ben Soukup does not make that much anymore. Remember, CSD had quite a few layoffs a while ago? Many employees are not rich. Why don't you go apply for a job there, so you can see what kind of salary these people are making, if you think they're rich?

Anonymous said...

Interesting and provocative title there!

I do not think that the question here is whether the VRS service is led by a hearing or deaf leadership team but what is in the service itself and how it is implemented and delivered. Furthermore what is more important is the customer service and how these companies relate to the deaf communities.

I am impressed with ViableVRS which I believe is the only true Deaf led VRS company and is based in Maryland. Have a look at their website - www.viable.net. I have downloaded their software and have used their VRS from many different hotels without any problems with firewalls and my family could call me on the same number wherever I am in the world. This has been developed because as the company is deaf led right from the top down to the bottom, it knows exactly what we need, want and desire and works hard to deliver it!

Before you ask, no I do not work for ViableVRS!

Jeff Justice said...

Thank you for your comments. So most of you are saying that it is ok for vrs companies to make profits and we look the other way when there is a great need for social services, job and educational opportunities for the deaf? Can vrs companies do better than just sponsoring deaf organizations or businesses? Do we need to accept the fact that vrs companies can do whatever they want to do since we live in a captalism country while deaf contine to struggle?

Anonymous said...

Ben made so much money for himself so that's why he had to lay off CSD employees instead of investing in the deaf community. He should know better than that.

Anonymous said...

It appears CSDVRS is the only one now that is sort of run by deaf people...sort of. Rest are not (unless im mistaken).

Problem with VRS in areas of employment for deaf are: most are installers and Outreach Specialist. They make on average 50 dollars per house visit. No benefits and it's not enough for a person to support a family. How long will it last? Once competiton has past it's peak, then what? many of them will be out of job.

I would prefer to see funds (TRS) be used for something else other than adding relay to vp, etc. Personally, that is a waste of dollars!!!

Doesn't anyone realize that it is so easy to do it yourself!!!! Even a fifth grader can do it.

Anonymous said...

There's folks that are not thrilled about Sorenson's sneaky $5M audist travesty after all.

Billy Koch said...

"FYI - HOVRS pays average $43-47 per hour to Video Interpreter (VI). They make millions of dollars into the pockets.

If Deaf are without being installer, Interpreter wont go to Deaf people's homes to install videophone. They just keep their cleaning hands to interpret in the nice office. Deaf people who installers are suckers because of being paid $50 per a installment.

FCC pays average $360 to $420 per a hour to the company if VI logs in.

$50 dollars per an installment? That is ripped off for sure.

Two cents worth!
"

FIrst of all - you have to invest in technology - in order to be successful. If you don't invest in technology and the technology decreases then you come up with nothing. And also keep in mind SorensonVRS, CSD, HOVRS all give away free videophones which easily cost about 400 dollars. So they give away 400 bucks with hopes that you will use your minutes to help them obtain their loss. But you know - the millions is really overrated - now with the emergence of some new VRS - I don't see there being one monopoly. But a mere split from different VRS will rake in as much as they can. And those who promote and donate to the deaf causes will more likely gain more visibility and support from the deaf community.

Anonymous said...

On a related note, I cannot recall EVER hearing of any interpreter referral agency giving anything back to the deaf community.


Well, I volunteer at one that does. They use the profits from interpreter coordinating to do casework for Deaf clients, advocacy, programs for children, etc. I actually know of two more just in my geographic area that do the same thing, and I don't even live in a big city. You'd be amazed at what quietly happens behind the scenes. The thing is that they don't often advertise it as these things are of a confidential nature.....

Anonymous said...

400 bucks for a VP?! The Sorenson VP-200 is probably made in China?

Anonymous said...

I find CSDVRS very helpful to me and took the time to fix my VP and explained to me all features. They have also told me that they support several non profit organizations across the country. They have a big heart. I find customer services very helpful to me and others. It is not about million dollar business is about good services.