The "Signing" of The Times
Video Conferencing Extends the Reach of American Sign Language
Interpreters
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters have been greatly enabled by
the technology revolution in on-demand video conferencing.
The latest in cloud-based video conferencing technology such as Nefsis
can reach virtually any desktop with a PC and an Internet connection. This
technology can be used to complement and extend existing, site-based
facilities giving interpreters a great deal more flexibility. Now
video remote interpreters are able to join more business meetings, school and educational
venues, legal and medical settings and even social events via online meeting
technology. Conversely, events with in-person interpreters can now reach far
beyond their physical boundaries to reach anywhere worldwide.
For the deaf or hard of hearing, video conferencing is a working tool
to increase interpreter availability and improve the knowledge transfer
and personal experience in these settings.
Video Remote Interpreting Capabilities (VRI)
It
should be noted that there are fundamental differences between
earlier generations of video conferencing technology and Nefsis. Nefsis is a
multipoint,
software-based system that is capable of using almost any
video input and Internet connection. Nefsis manages all the "video mixing"
and automatic bandwidth adjustment without the addition complex hardware.
Moreover, Nefsis uses scalable video
and multi-core concurrency so that multiple videos run faster and smoother.
As such, Nefsis has several capabilities relevant to video meetings
ASL interpreters:
- Installed-sites. Nefsis can use
high-bandwidth, dedicated Internet access routes same as any
room-based system. Facilities with adequate bandwidth can use
HD
video conferencing at full resolution and frame rates.
- Any desktop. Nefsis can also use
low-to-medium bandwidth shared access and consumer Internet
connections typical in small business, classroom and home scenarios.
Nefsis has automatic bandwidth throttling on a per connection basis,
so participants at remote facilities need not be left out.
- Any video camera. You can mix-and-match
participants with different webcams, HD video cameras and connection
types. Nefsis can use any
PC-based video peripheral.
- Frame
rate (fps) over-rides. The meeting host can select low, medium or high
quality video, and Nefsis automatically adjusts image resolution and
frame rates within bandwidth constraints. This takes place
automatically, on a per-connection basis in real-time (i.e.,
throughout the meeting). Under some circumstances, it may be
desirable to override automated settings and manually select a lower
resolution image, but a higher frame-rate (frames per
second, abreviated fps) to better capture the
American Sign Language interpreter's motion. This capability is only
used in low-bandwidth (or shared bandwidth) scenarios, but it can be
very helpful when needed.
There are many other features that lend themselves to productive
sessions. Nefsis includes a built-in suite of web conferencing and
collaboration features. For example, meeting hosts can run text chat with
some or all meeting participants. This can be useful during question and
answer, or live feedback during live, instructor-led sessions. Live
application sharing,
desktop sharing and
white boarding provide more ways to convey ideas and improve communications.
More details:
Built-in Web Conferencing |
Collaboration Software . . .
Applications using Remote ASL Interpreters
Education
and Training. Students are using video conferencing as a tool
that allows them a remote educational experience, where otherwise they
would not be able to receive instruction in many mainstream classroom
settings. The Nefsis conferencing application provides visual highlights
such as green boarders and "name tags" for all video and live sharing
features, so participants know who is communicating. Instructors can
record and playback sessions for future training classes.
ASL Training. A special case of the above, American Sign Language training
programs can increase their reach, frequency and practice sessions with
online meeting technology.
On-Demand Interpreter Services. Now that video conferencing is available
on-the-fly, interpreters and their employers can offer on-demand ASL
services.
Court & Civil Deposition VRI. Nefsis can use any video
input and Internet connection type, this added flexibility can be used in court,
civil deposition, and any venue where VRI is required.
Medical & Other Professional Services. On-demand video
conferencing technology can be used to bring interpreters and their clients
into more informative meetings with doctors, accountants, and
tax professionals. Nefsis can be used almost anywhere a PC and Internet
connection can be found.
More details:
Nefsis case
studies and applications by industry & trade
Contact Us
Nefsis
is currently being used in many healthcare and educational
settings with ASL interpreters. We welcome you to take a
free trial or
contact us for a live demonstration or
a customer referral.
Additional Resources:
Video Tutorial: Using Nefsis (with ASL Interpreter)
Video Tutorial: Adjusting Video Controls (with ASL Interpreter)
More Tutorial Videos
HD Video Conferencing
Desktop Video Conferencing
Video Conferencing Online Services