Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) an Invaluable Service:
With so many different languages spoken in America, hospitals, physicians’ offices, mental health care facilities, police stations, schools, financial institutions, and businesses are in desperate need of a solution that will enable them to communicate with their LEP and deaf clients and patients. Language services such as video remote interpretation (VRI) allow LEP as well as deaf individuals more control over their choices and opportunities, because it offers them the ability to understand with those who don’t speak their language. VRI is an innovative and user friendly language solution that provides people access to qualified, professional, and experienced interpreters with very little wait time and regardless of the location you’re in, all you need is a computer, smartphone or tablet and internet access.
This innovative and modern twist on language services marries the benefits of on-site interpretation with the on-demand nature of telephone interpretation. With the visual aspect still intact, VRI can be used to accommodate individuals who need sign language interpretation. The article, “Sign Language and Video Remote Interpretation (VRI),” explains the value that the contemporary language service has within the Deaf community. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) indicates that VRI is an effective and acceptable form of interpretation service to provide your clients or patients when access to on-site interpretation is limited.
VRI is an extremely useful language service created with the purchaser of the service in mind. VRI is time efficient, sessions can be pre-scheduled or used as an on-demand service and wait time to be connected with an interpreter averages five minutes or less. The service is also incredibly cost effective, you are only paying for the time spent with the interpreter, and you’re not obligated to pay for other expenses such as mileage accrued during travel time. “Video Remote Interpreting is Extremely Cost Effective While Providing Pristine Communication for your Patients,” bullets the vast advantages of the service and how the incorporation of VRI into your language access strategies can widely benefit in breaking down the communication barriers faced by your employees. VRI is a very beneficial service regardless of the industry you’re in and can be used to effectively communicate with individuals who do not speak the same language as you. The following is a comprised list of best practices to abide by when engaged in a VRI session, these tips will help you to achieve and optimize your goal of communicating with LEP or deaf clients or patients.
Combat Technical Difficulties:
- Check to ensure you have a solid internet connection, high quality internet speed helps with relay reduction, it’s also a good idea to ensure you have plenty of bandwidth, which will help transmit frequencies and signals more efficiently.
- Ensure microphone, speakers and webcam are working properly.
- Avoid hectic background noise. Train your staff on how to setup and use video remote interpretation devices and software so they can access interpreters quickly.
Tips for Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Optimization:
- Provide language services to LEP or deaf clients/patients as soon as the need arises.
- Position the screen between the LEP or deaf individual and the provider, employee, lawyer…
- Maximize the window on your computer screen so everything can be viewed in a full screen mode.
- Introduce yourself to the LEP or deaf individual as well as to the interpreter. Allow time for the interpreter to introduce themselves to the LEP or deaf individual as well.
- Maintain professional roles and boundaries appropriate to the setting and recognize and respect cultural differences.
- Brief the interpreter about the situation and topics of discussion if time prior permits.
- Explain your company’s, facility’s or organization’s specific confidentiality clause and assure the LEP or deaf individual that the VRI session is not recorded.
- If this is a medical VRI interpretation session, allow the parties involved the time to collect any extra documents if needed.
- Prepare yourself, if you are aware you will need to refer to documents during the interpretation session make sure all required materials are accessible.
- Create a checklist to ensure that all of your topics and information is covered adequately during the VRI session.
- Speak directly to the LEP individual. If this is a session with a deaf individual then make sure you maintain eye contact when speaking with them.
- Speak clearly and concisely, say the things you need to say, the interpreter is an experienced professional and will have the capability to interpret your words.
- There may be names of medications, procedures or difficult industry specific terminology that may need additional clarification, take the time to explain in order to ensure that all parties understand the important information being given to them.
- When you purchase a professional VRI session you are receiving an accurate interpretation without altering or omitting anything that is stated. Please remember everything that is said or signed will be interpreted.
- Maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
If your business, facility or organization often encounters language barriers when dealing with LEP or deaf clients, then it’s vital you improve the lines of communication by incorporating VRI into your language access plan. Communicating critical information in an accurate, time efficient and cost effective manner can be accomplished through the use of VRI. Incorporate VRI into the way you communicate, demonstrate to your staff how quickly connection with interpreters is made and how easy the service is used. You have the choice to choose accuracy when communicating important information, allow Niki’s Int’l Ltd. to assist you in caring and accommodating your valued LEP and deaf clients.
Niki’s Int’l Ltd. is a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise with 20 years of language service experience. A global network of highly skilled translators and interpreters are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for on-site, telephonic and video remote interpretation services. Our linguists are available in over 350 languages and dialects, and our network includes certified translators and interpreters. Our work is guaranteed with a $1 Million Errors & Omissions policy, so that you can be confident that your project will be completed with the highest level of quality and professionalism within the field. For more information contact us at 1-877-567-8449 or visit our website at www.nilservices.com.