2009-04-29 23:39:02 -

In an effort to increase the supply and quality of sign language interpreters, Sorenson Communications ® , the leading provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use sign language to communicate, today announced the establishment of the VRS Interpreting Institute.

The VRS Interpreting Institute is located at Sorenson Communications’ corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City. The new institute is a state-of-the-art facility with highly sophisticated visual language laboratories that integrate the most current educational technology and teaching methodology.

The VRS Interpreting Institute will implement a systematic approach to increasing the supply and quality of sign language interpreters for Sorenson VRS ® and for the community at large. Educational programming will address a broad range of topics including.

- Short-term training
- Training

for interpreters intending to reenter the field
- Internship opportunities
- Certification preparation
- Teacher and mentor training


Dr. Carolyn Ball, Ph.D., was recently named Executive Director of the new VRS Interpreting Institute. Ball is a nationally esteemed interpreter educator and scholar who has more than 20 years of experience in developing and delivering educational programming for sign language interpreters.

“Dr. Carolyn Ball is an experienced educator who brings a wealth of knowledge to the new VRS Interpreting Institute,” notes Chris Wakeland, Vice President of Interpreting for Sorenson Communications. “We are confident that under Dr. Ball’s leadership the institute will flourish and be a positive force in addressing enhanced education for interpreters and interpreter educators.”


Dr. Ball is certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She directed the Interpreter Education Program at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. for ten years and was formerly Coordinator of the Salt Lake Community College Interpreter Training Program. She has served on the board of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT), as CIT president for three terms, and is currently the CIT treasurer.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Sorenson’s effort to increase the number of qualified interpreters,” notes Ball. “I plan to ensure that our educational programming is based on measurable outcomes, and I am committed to including service-based learning that will contribute to the wellbeing of deaf communities nationwide. I am pleased to announce that our first programmatic offering began in March of 2009 and will continue thereafter.”


About Sorenson Communications

Sorenson Communications™ ( www.sorenson.com : ) is a provider of industry-leading communication offerings including Sorenson Video Relay Service® (VRS), the company's line of videophones, Sorenson IP Relay™ (SIPRelay), and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting™ (VRI). Sorenson VRS ( www.sorensonvrs.com : ) enables deaf callers to conduct video relay conversations with hearing friends, business colleagues, and family members through a qualified American Sign Language interpreter. The company's Sorenson VP-100 is the first consumer-based broadband videophone appliance specifically designed for deaf individuals. Sorenson IP Relay™ ( www.siprelay.com : ) allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to place instant text-based relay calls from a PC or mobile device to any telephone user.



Sorenson CommunicationsAnn Bardsley, 801-287-9400 abardsley@sorenson.com : mailto:abardsley@sorenson.com