Holy Family offers video phone for the deaf
Tucked into a corner of the bustling Emergency Room at Holy Family Hospital is a device that’s improving the lives for the deaf and hard of hearing. The Sorenson Video Relay Service, commonly referred to as a video phone, allows deaf individuals to place calls to family, friends and businesses.
Elaine Navratil is the case manager for Eastern Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She explained through an interpreter, “You can call any number, and the call goes to a video relay system.” A real-time translator is standing by and interprets the call for the user.
According to the company Web site, the Sorenson Video Relay Service is a free service that enables anyone to conduct video relay calls through a certified American Sign language interpreter via a high-speed Internet connection and video relay.
“We are the first hospital in Eastern Washington to have this technology,” said hospital social worker Cathy McInroe. “For us it’s a patient’s-rights issue. It helps us meet the community’s needs.”
In the past the hospital relied on the TTY (telephone teletype) system, which is much slower and can be frustrating to use. “Teletype is not a deaf person’s natural language,” said Navratil. The new video technology is an improvement because it allows the deaf to use American Sign Language.
Holy Family is one of several area businesses that received the phones free of charge, thanks to a grant from the Gates Foundation. These phones have been installed at Spokane Public Library’s downtown branch and at the Spokane County Health Department building.
“Our goal is to promote independence in the deaf community,” said Navratil. The phone at Holy Family is available to anyone who needs to use it, not just patients
The Gates Foundation also provided phones for several area schools, including Evergreen Elementary School. Karlene Hyer, a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, said the phone has made life easier for students and parents, as well as for teachers. “It gives the student equal access,” she said. “They used to have to have a teacher make calls.” Another benefit is teachers can now communicate directly with deaf parents.
Evergreen fifth-grader Twyla Ruiz-Barrett appreciates the new phone system. “I can communicate with my hearing friends,” she said. “I can call my mom at home when I forget to bring my coat or my hearing aids to school.
“Now, I can have private conversations.” The 10-year-old paused and added, “I can speak for myself.”
For more information, visit www.ewcdhh.org or call Eastern Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at (800) 214-3323.