Birnbaum Signs Contract With Hamilton Relay

Hamilton Relay, Inc. has signed a contract with Birnbaum Interpreting Services (BIS) of Silver Spring, MD for the joint provision of Video Relay Service. “Hamilton is thrilled to announce its partnership with BIS,” said Dixie Ziegler, Director of Hamilton Relay Service. ‘The combination of Hamilton’s experience in the provision of Telecommunications Relay Service and BIS’ unique knowledge and abilities in the management and employment of interpreters will result in an outstanding Video Relay Service product”.

Video Relay Service (VRS) allows signers to use video equipment and high speed internet access to communicate with voice telephone users. The customer makes a VRS call by connecting to a website. An operator at the relay center responds and places a voice call, and the caller uses sign language or sign language and speech to communicate with the VRS operator, who in turn interprets the call to the standard telephone user and vice versa.

David S. Birnbaum, founder and CEO of BIS said, “VRS has been a long time dream of mine. I had visions of this many years ago, but the technology was not there. Now, our partnership with Hamilton Relay Service has made my dream come true! My strong background and involvement in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community is now coupled with Hamilton’s many years of experience in providing premier telecommunication computers, networking, and internet services. I look forward to a long lasting partnership with Hamilton!” Hamilton Video Relay (HIP VRS) will be available this summer at www.hipvrs.com. For more information contract Hamilton Relay Service, P.O. Box 285, Aurora, NE 68818, 800/618-4781 (TTY/Voice), [email protected].