Sorenson Media Introduces the Nation's First Videophone Booths for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals to Place Video Relay Calls

From: Business Wire (press release) - Feb 2, 2004

WASHINGTON & SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2004--

Exclusive Unveiling at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Sorenson Media(R) unveiled today the nation's first videophone booths for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to conduct free video relay calls through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at Gallaudet University, the nation's premiere university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The new videophone booths, which will initially be available in leading schools and institutions, make communication between the deaf and hard-of-hearing community with the hearing world easier than ever.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals enter a private videophone booth to place a Sorenson Video Relay Service(TM) (VRS) call. Using the exclusive Sorenson VP-100(TM) videophone appliance connected to a TV, users place video relay calls to hearing friends, family, or business associates through an interpreter over a broadband Internet connection. The interpreter, who also uses a videophone and TV to sign to the deaf user, then contacts the hearing user via a standard telephone line and relays the conversation between the two parties.

Now, within a moment's notice, deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are able to place video relay calls from public locations. The deaf and hard-of-hearing community no longer has to rely on typing pager messages as their principal, on-the-go communication method. Instead, they will be able to use the videophone booths to converse in their primary language, ASL, and to convey ideas and emotions to hearing individuals.

"Due to the increasing demand from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community for greater access to communicate with hearing individuals through our video relay service, Sorenson Media is pleased to offer these videophone booths," said James Lee Sorenson, CEO at Sorenson Media. "The videophone booths give deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals the freedom to make VRS calls from the various public locations. There is currently nothing like this for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community."

About Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University (www.gallaudet.edu), established in 1864, is the world leader in undergraduate and graduate programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The mission of Gallaudet University is to serve as a comprehensive, multipurpose institution of higher education for deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens of the United States and of the world. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, the university also offers national demonstration elementary and secondary education programs. The university extends its activities to a worldwide audience through a network of regional centers, international agreements, and public service and advocacy efforts. Gallaudet University is the only liberal arts university in the world designed exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Communication among faculty, staff, and students, whether in or out of the classroom, is through the use of both sign language, written, and/or spoken English.

About Sorenson Media

Sorenson Media (www.sorenson.com and www.sorensonvrs.com) is the recognized technology leader in video services, video compression, and video communication to improve the quality of communication over the Internet. The company's products and services include the industry's highest-quality video relay service, award-winning video compression solutions, and the market-leading broadband Internet videophone technology.

(C) 2004 Sorenson Media. All products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contacts

Gallaudet University, Washington
Mercy Coogan, 202-651-5727
mercy.coogan@gallaudet.edu
or
Sorenson Media, Salt Lake City
David Parkinson, 801-287-9400
dparks@sorenson.com

© Business Wire 2004