Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Guidelines for HealthCare by NAD and DSA

Overview:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require healthcare providers to ensure effective communication with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. To enhance the familiarity and the efficiency of effective communications, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Deaf Seniors of America, Inc. (DSA) present basic guidelines to assist healthcare providers in operating Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).

Network:

  • Dedicated high-speed (broadband) Internet connection to ensure high quality, clear, delay-free, full-motion video and audio;
  • At least 768kps upload and download uninterrupted and continuous video calling;
  • Firewalls must not impede or impair optimal video transmission;
  • Security requirements, including HIPAA, should not be compromised;
  • All endpoints should be connected though single link such as WAN circuit;
  • Connections should be free from interferences caused by other equipment;
  • All connections must be tested and recorded at least once a week; and
  • All interpreters must meet the same technical standards from their end.
Equipment:
  • Viewer must have an unobstructed view of the monitor;
  • Monitor should be at least 19.5 inches and viewed no more than 5 feet away;
  • Monitor must be mobile and stable with adjustable height and overhead options;
  • Until it is safe, patient’s head and neck must remain immobile;
  • Minimum resolution of video camera should be 720p at 30 frames per second;
  • All interfering programs and screensavers must be turned off;
  • Computers, if used, must have a minimum processor speed of 2 GHz, at least 5GB free disk drive space, and a dedicated video card;
  • Equipment must be tested at least once a week;
  • Back up system must be available for breakdowns and need for multiple use; and
  • Equipment must be kept clean and within sterilization standards.
Interpreters:
  • Interpreters and agencies must be in compliance with the regulations of state or national recognized organizations of sign language interpreters;
  • Interpreters must recuse themselves should they find VRI is not an appropriate accommodation and advice on-site interpreting is more appropriate;
  • Personal preferences of a patient and/or companion for a particular named interpreter may not be honored;
  • Preference of the gender of the interpreter by the patient and/or companion must be honored;
  • Interpreter should be provided with brief background information of the situation;
  • Should a transfer of an interpreted session take place or when an interpreted session is terminated, the previous interpreter must use HIPAA compliant internal communication procedures to share with the next interpreter;
  • All set-ups, transfers, and/or reconnections should be completed within oneminute;
  • Interpreters must be trained to operate and maintain their equipment;
  • Interpreters must answer the call within 45 seconds at all times;
  • Certified Deaf Interpreters should be made available at the request of interpreters,patient and/or companion; and
  • Use of local VRI agencies should be minimized to ensure confidentiality.
Training:
  • All personnel dealing with patients and/or companions must be at least oriented to VRI;
  • VRI equipment must be set up and ready to operate on schedule;
  • VRI equipment must be available to be set up and ready to operate within tenminutes for unscheduled assignments;
  • Should VRI-related problems remain unresolved within ten minutes, technicalsupport must be contacted;
  • There should be no time limit for VRI usage;
  • At least two VRI-trained personnel must be on site 24/7;
  • At least one technical support person must be available 24/7; and
  • Contact info of all VRI personnel must be available 24/7.
Factors/Situations:
  • Use of VRI should be consented to by the patient and/or companion;
  • Effective communication should be satisfied by all parties involved;
  • Time sensitivity and limitations of the patient’s and/or companion’s visual, head/body mobility, cognition and/or consciousness should be considered to determine whether to use VRI or on-site interpreters;
  • On-site interpreters must be used should the patient and/or companion becomesstressed with the use of VRI;
  • On-site interpreters must be used whenever there is no readily accessible Internetaccess; and
  • On-site interpreters must be used when there are no spaces for VRI equipment.

References:

  1. US DOJ Effective Communication Regulations, available at: www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm
  2. Recommended Guidelines for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for ASL-Interpreted Events, Judicial Council of California, 2012.
  3. NAD Position Statement: VRI Services in Hospitals: http://nad.org/issues/technology/vri/position-statement-hospitals
  4. Gonzalez, Lemmer, & Ordaz (2018). Community Healthcare Interpreting. In Holcomb & Smith (Eds.).
  5. DEAF EYES on INTERPRETING (pp. 209-220). Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Click here to get VRI Guidelines

Facebook

© 2021 Deaf Seniors of America, Inc.   |  Website By: CHILMARKeting

Call for Exhibitors

Click Here For PDF Conference Exhibitor Form Option
Status:
Address
Contact Name
Early Bird Special (end December 31st, 2022):
Rates
Standard Rate:
Exhibit Reservations
Number of booths: For more than five booths, please contact: dsa2023exhibition@deafseniors.us
Please print the following information exactly as you wish it to appear in the program book and booth identification sign:
Program Book Identification/Booth Description Sign
Name
Type your name and it will be considered as a signature:
Payment Section
Credit card information and this contract can also be faxed. A $40- charge will be assessed on all returned checks.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call for Presentations

Click Here for PDF Option for Call for Presentations
MAIN PRESENTER
Self or Organization (if applicable)
Address
ADDITIONAL PRESENTER/PANELIST
Self or Organization (if applicable)
Address
Please submit your biography relevant to your qualifications for this presentation. Your biography will be printed in the conference program and posted on our web. Please submit up to 300 words in a written/narrative format and NOT a CV/resume.
Titles should be concise and intriguing. Attendees will choose from up to five (5) other session titles per time block.
Descriptions should be no more than 100 words and will be printed in the program book. Suggested format: Describe the activities that will result in the projected outcomes
Please describe what AV your presentation requires, such as flipcharts, PowerPoint, video clips etc. PLEASE NOTE: DSA 2023 Conference DOES NOT PROVIDE LAPTOPS.
• Your proposal in detail including specific examples, goals and objectives
• Your expertise in the topic you select to discuss
• Strategies that support overcoming obstacles, best practices, how can one implement these strategies across the deaf senior community
DSA2023 accepts APPLICATIONS in 3 different formats - workshop, lecture, and/or panel. All sessions will take place between June 26 through 28, 2023.
Please check off all boxes that apply.
FORMAT
ROOM SET UP - Session rooms are set in theatre style. We try to accommodate set up when possible, please list your preference below:
Please offer in the space below any additional information that the program committee should be aware of when reviewing your submission/presentation.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DSA 2023 Hollywood, FL Raffle

Buy Your Raffle Ticket Now

Contact the Deaf Seniors of America, Inc.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.