HomeMy WebLinkAbout10_15_24 ADA Advisory Board Minutes (1)ADA Advisory Board Minutes -10/15/24
City Hall Back Conference Room
35 N 1st E,Rexburg,ID 83440
1.5:pm Roll Call of board members
a.Present:Elizabeth “Becky”Harrington,Daniel “Danny”Harrington,Deborah
Lovejoy,Ayas Hussain (on Zoom),Mike Walker,Val (Interpreter),Natalie Clark
b.Excused:Laura Rawson,Kelly Wadsworth,Nevaeh Bright,Alexandria Weirich
2.5:05pm Cannot approve minutes because we didn’t have enough for a quorum
3.Discuss/teaching from Ayas about ways to communicate between Deaf and hearing
worlds
a.The most effective and desirable mode of interpreting is having a live interpreter.
b.VRI machines can be used if there is no live interpreter available.VRI is an
electronic service that calls a live interpreter to help someone Deaf or Hard of
Hearing communicate.It is only two way,between the Deaf person and the
interpreter.They are not very convenient because it takes a long time to connect
with a live interpreter and sometimes they don’t answer.If the service is not being
used for 10 minutes,the interpreter hangs up and if you need interpreting again,
you have to reconnect all over again.
c.We discussed how VRIs can be set up in public locations and can help in
emergency situations.Ayas will send more information to Deborah about setting
up a VRI at city hall,the costs and avenues.If a hearing person requests a VRI,
they pay for the equipment but the service is free and paid by the FCC.If a Deaf
person requests a VRI in a public space,it is free of charge.A phone number is
given for the VRI
d.Discussion about VRS.VRS is three way communication
e.Sivo is an app that can be used to call a doctor and give an interpreter to the
Deaf individual.It is a 3 way call.The FCC pays for Sivo-It just charges a regular
phone bill through your own cell service provider.If a hearing person calls a Deaf
person using VRS and the Deaf person doesn’t answer,they can leave an audio
voicemail and and interpreter will leave a signed message.
f.VRS is mainly used for personal phone calls.The FCC has rules about not using
it as interpreting service with someone in the same room.Its ability for live
interpreting is limited.Many Deaf individuals find VRS helpful for emergency
situations because it can track your location with a GPS in an emergency and
send EMTs to you if you don’t know where you are.
g.There are 3 main VRS companies-Zip,Sorensen,and Convo.Zip is part of
Convo.Sorensen is the biggest and Zip is a close second.There are a few other
very tiny companies who offer these services.They are free to Deaf individuals.
h.Soon Zoom will have a 24/7 interpreting option
i.Becky has all 3 VRS services and prefers Sorensen because it has a better
connection.If one goes down,she has to use the others.
j.Convo has made a new improvement.They cover 20 minutes of VRS phone calls
free of charge.
4.Next meeting will be Tuesday,January 14th,2025 at 5:00pm MDT
5.Meeting adjourned 5:45pm