Sorenson Communications Supports NAD, TDI, DHHCAN and the CCASDHH in Petitioning the FCC for a Fair VRS Rate to Provide 100% Accessibility.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Leading VRS Provider Joins Deaf Advocacy Groups to Call on the FCC to Reject Any VRS Reimbursement Rate Decrease

Sorenson Communications, the nation's leading provider of video relay service (VRS) and equipment for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, has joined the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Inc. (TDI), the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN), and the California Coalition of Agencies Service the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (CCASDHH) in asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject a substantial decrease in the video relay service reimbursement rate proposed to the FCC by the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA).

All of the groups voiced their concern to the FCC that the proposed VRS reimbursement rate is inadequate to make VRS service available for the entire deaf community. The groups argued in a letter to the FCC that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires functionally equivalent communication services for all Americans, and VRS is the most functionally equivalent service that lets deaf consumers use American Sign Language (ASL), their own native language. The proposed lowered rate violates the mandates set forth in the ADA, according to the groups.

"Our goal is to ensure that every deaf and hard-of-hearing American has access to VRS service by the year 2010, and this proposed rate will have the opposite result," explained Pat Nola, president and CEO of Sorenson Communications. "We are a public service company that has the charter to make it possible for every signing individual to place phone calls to hearing individuals. With new areas of the country virtually untouched by this vital communications technology, the most sensible solution is to increase the rate to $7.18 to support the tremendous growth of this industry rather than to stifle it with a decreased reimbursement rate.

"VRS providers are working to reach more deaf consumers. Simultaneously, we must comply with multiple new federal requirements -- speed of answer, interoperability, Spanish interpreters, 911," continued Nola. "This proposed rate intentionally limits the ability of VRS providers to reach new customers. As only approximately 10% of the deaf community has VRS service, the focus should be on reaching consumers rather than slashing reimbursement costs and eliminating outreach."

NECA is charged by the FCC with gathering costs and other data from VRS providers and recommending a rate to the FCC, which allows providers to offer VRS to deaf and hard-of-hearing users in order to comply with federal requirements. Rather than increasing the rate to reflect the forecasted increase in costs coinciding with new federal requirements, NECA has recommended a considerable rate reduction aimed at eliminating costs such as outreach, which have been accepted in previous years.

"Advocacy groups and VRS providers together voice frustration with the proposed VRS rate cuts in consideration of increases in operating costs to: 1) find and train interpreters; 2) create interoperable solutions; 3) provide reliable 911/emergency services; 4) offer Spanish VRS; and 5) meet all speed of answer requirements to quickly process VRS calls. All costs are valid and necessary in order to comply with federal rules and provide adequate VRS service," noted Ron Burdett, vice president of community relations for Sorenson Communications. "This year, the NAD is working closely with Sorenson Communications and TDI to suggest a more effective three-year rate setting strategy to provide for the future of video relay service for deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans."

For more information concerning the Sorenson Communications' support of the April 28 filing by NAD, TDI, DHHCAN and the CCASDHH, please visit www.sorensonvrs.com/vrsrate.

About NAD

The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States of America. For more information, go to the organization's Web site at www.NAD.org.

About TDI

TDI (also known as Telecommunications for the Deaf Inc.) was established in 1968 originally to promote further distribution of TTYs in the deaf community and to publish an annual national directory of TTY numbers. Today, it is an active national advocacy organization focusing its energies and resources to address equal access issues in telecommunications and media for four constituencies in deafness and hearing loss, specifically people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind. For more information, visit www.TDI-online.org.

About Sorenson Communications

Sorenson Communications(TM) (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communication offerings including Sorenson Video Relay Service(R) (VRS), the company's line of videophones, Sorenson IP Relay(TM) (siprelay), and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting(TM) (VRI). Sorenson VRS (www.sorensonvrs.com) enables deaf callers to conduct video relay conversations with hearing friends, business colleagues and family members through a qualified American Sign Language interpreter. The company's Sorenson VP-100 is the first consumer-based broadband videophone appliance specifically designed for deaf individuals. Sorenson IP Relay (www.siprelay.com) allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to place instant text-based relay calls from a PC or mobile device to any telephone user. Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting(TM) (www.sorensonvri.com) is a fee-based video interpreting service ideal for use in situations where an interpreter cannot be physically present to interpret between hearing and deaf individuals who are at the same location.

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