Kansas Association of the Deaf offers several choices to meet your customer service needs.
- Videophone - help.ksvrs.tv
- Webcam - Click "Live Customer Service" button on left.
- E-mail - Click "E-mail" on left menu.
- Voice - 1-800-296-3808
- Fax - 1-727-443-1219
About Kansas Association of the Deaf
Reach out and sign to someone
Kansas Association of the Deaf enables users who use sign language to communicate via
videoconferencing with a Video Interpreter (VI) through the internet. The VI then voices/relays the signed
conversation over the phone - in real time- to the hearing caller. By using sign language over the full motion
video, this allows the sign language user to fully express in their natural language and convey facial expression
and cues to ensure nothing gets lost in the translation.
With Kansas Association of the Deaf, there's no typing, no extended delay, and no "GA"s - hassle-free,
faster communication that flows as freely as a natural conversation.
Operating Hours & Access Numbers
VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week
Spanish Translation VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week
For Hearing Callers
1-866-926-8877
Step 1 - Select one of the menu options:
- Press one for English
- Press two for Spanish
Step 2 - After you select the language, select one of the menu optoins:
- Press one if you know the extension of the person you are calling
- Press two for an explanation of how to use the service
Step 3 - Give the Video Interpreter (VI) one of following for the person you are calling:
- IP Address
- clearblue Mail extension number
International Calls
All VRS calls must
either originate or terminate in the United States and/or U.S. territories. To place
an international call, the caller must begin or end the call within the United States
and/or U.S. territories.
VRS calls can be processed in the following countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Korea, Republic of
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Venezuela
No 911 Calls
We strongly encourage you to dial 911 directly to receive
prompt and faster emergency services via TTY or phone. However, if an VRS
emergency call reaches the Video Interpreter, the VI will do whatever is
necessary to quickly handle the call and pass and relevant information to the
emergency agency. We recommend that you verify your address, city and state so
that the VRS emergency call can be processed quicker. Please be aware that VRS
emergency calls may take longer then dialing 911 directly.
No 711 and TTY Relay Calls
Kansas Association of the Deaf handles only video to voice calls or voice to video relay calls.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled that Video Relay through a TTY relay service is not permitted.
No Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Calls
VRI calls are not allowed through Kansas Association of the Deaf. Video Relay Service (VRS) is a
telephone relay service to provide communication between a person who is deaf, hard of hearing or
who has speech-disability that uses sign language to communicate with a hearing caller.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) service is an interpreting service using video
cameras between voice and sign language users in the same room.
Spanish Translation
En Español
Sign language to Spanish is now available for deaf and hard of hearing sign language users
to communicate with hearing persons that speak Spanish. Video interpreters will translate sign language to Spanish,
and Spanish to sign language. (Spanish sign language to Spanish is currently not available.)
Spanish Translation VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week
To use Video Relay Service with Spanish
- Videophone Users: spanish.ksvrs.tv
- Webcam Users: www.ksvrs.com and check the "Spanish" button
- Hearing Users: 1-866-926-8877 and press two for Spanish
Traducciones en Español en el Servicio de Relevo de Video (VRS)
In English
Transliteración del lenguaje de seña al español hablado está disponible para las personas sordas
y sordos parciales que son usuarios de señas para comunicarse con personas oyentes que habla español. Los intérpretes
del relevo en Video traducirá el lenguaje de señas al español hablado y del español hablado al lenguaje de señas.
(Actualmente no está disponible el lenguaje de señas español al español hablado.)
KSVRS Voice Carry Over (VCO)
New VCO Feature for KSVRS Users: Allows a deaf or hard-of-hearing user,
who prefers to voice for themselves, to speak directly to their party while a video interpreter signs what the hearing person
is saying. Based on the VCO user’s communication preference, the video interpreter will use American Sign Language,
English-based Sign Language or an English-based Sign Language (close up) option for those that benefit from speech reading to
process their VRS call. A demonstration of these three communication preferences can be seen below:
View VCO samples
American Sign Language (ASL) Only
- The Video Interpreter will sign using American Sign Language.
English Based Sign Language Only
- The Video Interpreter will sign using English Based Sign Language.
English Based Sign Language and Lip Reading.
- Sitting closer to the camera, the Video Interpreter will sign using English-based
Sign Language along with an emphasis on lip movements so that the VCO user may also benefit from
speech reading.
Important: VCO users will benefit from this new enhancement by registering or updating their VRS profile located in
the “Login” section of www.ksvrs.com. By updating their user profile, the Video Interpreter will have the following information
to expedite their call:
- Quickly identify VCO caller
- Identify VCO user’s selected communication preference
- Automatically dial the VCO user’s “call back” phone number
To use KSVRS VCO:
- Videophone users: vco.ksvrs.tv
- Web-cam users: www.ksvrs.com and check the “VCO” button.
For Hearing Callers
1-866-926-8877
Step 1 - Select one of the menu options:
- Press one for English
- Press two for Spanish
Step 2 - After you select the language, select one of the menu options:
- Press one if you know the extension of the person you are calling
- Press two for an explanation of how to use the service
Step 3 - Give the Video Interpreter (VI) one of following for the person you are calling:
- IP Address
- KSVRS Mail extension number
Contacting the FCC
You may submit comments to the FCC on VRS issues. Comments should be mailed to Ms. Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554 with copies mailed to Thomas Chandler,
Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office, at the same address. Alternatively you may file your comments electronically by
going to
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi.
Fill out the cover sheet, putting down 98-67 as the proceeding. Then scroll down to "Send a Brief
Comment to the FCC" near the bottom of the page, type in your message, and send it. Copies of your electronic filing
should also be sent to Thomas Chandler, Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office, at
(
thomas.chandler@fcc.gov).
FCC E-filing Instructions
If you would like to make comments to the FCC about this
issue, please go to the
fcc.gov
website. Your comments will become part of the permanent record for this issue.
- Type in ecfs in the "search" box.
- The Electronic Comment Filing System page will pop up.
- Click on the first or second selection. (FCC Electronic Comment Filing System).
- This changes, depending on the volume of calls to each. You want the screen that has a box on the right with a list of “ECFS Main Links”
- Under the ECFS Main Links, you will see an option that says “Submit a Filing.” Click that.
- Fill out the form, putting 98-67 as the proceeding (line #1).
- Right below that form, there is another box entitled "Send Comment Files to the FCC (Attachments)" To the right of that is a box entitled "browse." Browse to your computer files.
- Click on the proper document, select a file type (e.g. Microsoft WORD) in the middle box, and click "Send Attached File."
- If you have a second document to send, on the next page, you will be prompted to send additional documents or finish the transaction.
Relay calls are acceptable under HIPPA requirements
Important information for health care professionals concerned about the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) on the use of
relay services is available on the web:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Public Notice clarifying use of relay services by Health Care Professionals:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1716A1.doc
Additional Information is available from
Medical Economics a magazine on 'business associate' concerns (please scroll down to 'Services for the Hearing Impaired'):
http://www.memag.com/memag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=122251
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do I have to pay for using Video Relay Service?
No.
-
Who funds VRS?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all long distance
telephone companies are required to pay a percentage of the money that they
collect from their subscribers into a national telecommunications relay
services fund. This interstate fund is administered by NECA (National Exchange
Carriers Association). NECA uses the money in the Interstate Relay Fund to
reimburse relay providers for all of the interstate telecommunications relay
services that they provide. In addition, that money is used to fund both intra-
and interstate VRS.
-
Is there a time limit for a call?
No.
-
Who can I call?
You may call any resident of the United States.
You can make international calls as long as one leg of the VRS call
is in an international location to or from the United States. For
more details on International calls,
click here.
-
Can a deaf person using VRS call another deaf person who has video equipment?
No, you may not use VRS to call directly to another deaf
person using sign language. In this situation, you would call the person
directly on video, not through VRS.
-
Can I make a VCO call with VRS?
Yes you can!
Using a webcam with your computer
a. Check the VCO button
b. Select your communication preferences in the "I prefer" box.
c. Type in the "Call To" phone number of the person you want to call.
d. Type in the "Call Back" phone number for the Video Interpreter (VI)
to call you.
e. Type in any special instructions in the "Subject" box.
f. Click the DIAL button.
g. The VI will call your number and connect you to the person
you want to call.
h. The person you call will be able to hear your voice.
i. The VI will sign everything the hearing caller says to you.
Using a D-Link Videophone with your TV
a. Add vco.ksvrs.tv name to your Speed Dial list and in the
"Enter an address" field.
b. Simply highlight vco.ksvrs.tv with your remote control
and press ENTER
c. Let the VI know that you want to use VCO.
d. Give the VI your call back number and the number of the
person you want to call.
e. The VI will call your number and connect you to the person
you want to call.
f. The person you call will be able to hear your voice.
g. The VI will sign everything the hearing caller says to you.
For both Webcam and Videophone users
a. Click on "Login" on top of the screen.
b. Type in your Username and Password
c. Check the VCO box at #18.
d. If you are a D-Link Videophone user, check the YES button, and
enter your D-Link phone number or video IP address at #14.
e. Type in your "Call Back" phone number for the VI to call you.
f. Select your "I Prefer" communication options.
g. After completing this profile, each time you call at KSVRS.TV,
your VCO information will be set up automatically for you!
-
Do the interpreters meet the national certification requirements?
Yes, we have professionally-trained interpreters certified by
the National Association of the Deaf (Levels 3, 4 and 5); RID (CI-CT/CSC);
and/or state certification where applicable, in order to provide quality video
interpreting services. Our service has a pool of skilled interpreters with
extensive experience in the provision of video interpreting services.
-
What is a VRS Web Flasher?
The benefit of this feature will allow you to
multi-task with other window applications while you are on hold during your VRS
call. The flasher will alert you when your VRS caller is back or the Video
Interpreter may be trying to capture your attention.
-
How do I access ksvrs.tv through D-Link or other video equipment?
Here's another way to access Kansas Association of the Deaf by simply using a TV,
high speed internet access and a D-Link DVC 1000 i-2-eye video phone or other
videophone equipment. Please click below to download for step by step instructions.
