Video Relay Service facts for kids

VRS or Video Relay Service is a service by which deaf people can use sign language on phone calls. In some countries it has largely replaced the use of TTY for for this pupose.

VRS uses a video camera and a high-speed Internet connection, to let people call friends, family, and business associates. A deaf or hard of hearing person can use a remote control and call an interpreter. When interpreter comes on their screen, the caller can call any hearing person and have a phone conversation through the interpreter.

VRS was invented in the 1990s in Sweden. In the early 21st century it became available in the United States. A person in the United States, can make calls to, or receive calls from, anybody in the world via VRS.

Images for kids

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  A deaf or hard-of-hearing person at his workplace using a VRS to communicate with a hearing person in London.

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  A person at her workplace communicating with a hearing person via a Video Interpreter (VI) and use of sign language.