Sorenson Communications’ DirectVP Numbers to Streamline Calling

Sorenson Communications™, the nation’s leading provider of Video Relay Services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate, today announced it now provides its Sorenson Video Relay Service (SVRS) users with DirectVP numbers for their Sorenson videophones.

Sorenson Communications President and CEO Pat Nola explained, “This new feature will greatly simplify and streamline the process for hearing callers to contact deaf individuals who use SVRS, further helping to break down communication barriers, which is Sorenson’s mission.”

The new DirectVP numbers are designed to be less confusing for hearing callers, allowing them to contact deaf individuals directly through just one number.

DirectVP numbers are available for Sorenson VP-100® and VP-200® videophones, and no account need be set up or activated. SVRS users simply select their own DirectVP number from their videophone. Once a DirectVP number is selected it will appear on the home screen. All calls placed via the new DirectVP numbers are free of charge. SVRS users can call each other by dialing either a new DirectVP number or through the existing Sorenson videophone number.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals with DirectVP numbers will now be able to include just one phone number in contact information on important documents, such as resumes and medical information forms. Those who do not have an SVRS DirectVP number will still have to include two numbers: the Sorenson VRS number (1-866-FAST-VRS) and their Sorenson videophone number or IP address.

Debbie Willman, a deaf DirectVP number user who lives in Middletown, Ohio, gave her DirectVP number to her doctor’s office. “The office called me, and the call went through without having to use a secondary phone number, so it was easier for the doctor to call me directly. We both thought it was very cool. I am going to give my new DirectVP number to my family and to my dentist’s office as well.”

To assist SVRS users in letting others know of the change from the existing videophone number to a DirectVP number, Sorenson Communications has created contact cards for SVRS users to personalize and distribute to hearing friends, family, co-workers and associates. The cards also include an explanation of SVRS and how it works. Complete instructions on obtaining a DirectVP number, as well as information on the downloadable SVRS contact cards, can be found by visiting www.sorensonvrs.com/directvp.

About Sorenson Communications

Sorenson Communications™ (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications services and products. The company’s offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson (VP-100® and VP-200®) videophones; Sorenson IP Relay™ (SIPRelay), enabling text-to-speech relay communication; and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting™ (VRI), a fee-based remote interpreting service.