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A thread on how I do my video calls, as a deaf person, with non-signers (aka hearing folks) by using my phone and laptop:
Steps to using a dial-in ASL/voice interpreter:
1.
Click on the meeting’s invitation link, and find the phone number linked to this video call.
2.
Dial-in the phone number on a VRS company’s app ( @convorelay, @ZVRS, @Sorenson_Comm) and share the meeting ID/password.
1.
Click on the meeting’s invitation link, and find the phone number linked to this video call.2.
Dial-in the phone number on a VRS company’s app ( @convorelay, @ZVRS, @Sorenson_Comm) and share the meeting ID/password.
2.5. 
Tip: Be sure to mute BOTH your laptop and phone in this whole process. (Wanna hear my deaf household in the background? 
)
3.
Wait until the video call begins, then ensure the ASL interpreter is in the room and can hear the non-signer talking/saying hello!
Tip: Be sure to mute BOTH your laptop and phone in this whole process. (Wanna hear my deaf household in the background? )3.
Wait until the video call begins, then ensure the ASL interpreter is in the room and can hear the non-signer talking/saying hello!
4. 
Sign into both your webcams on your phone and your laptop where an ASL interpreter will be voicing for you, speaking into the laptop’s video call for the non-signer.
Sign into both your webcams on your phone and your laptop where an ASL interpreter will be voicing for you, speaking into the laptop’s video call for the non-signer.
Set-up note:
Your non-signer should be visible on your laptop screen (seeing ONLY you) on a video call platform.
Your ASL interpreter should be visible on your phone (seeing ONLY you) on a VRS app.
+ You will be signing to BOTH screens simultaneously.
Your non-signer should be visible on your laptop screen (seeing ONLY you) on a video call platform. Your ASL interpreter should be visible on your phone (seeing ONLY you) on a VRS app.+ You will be signing to BOTH screens simultaneously.
A personal positive takeaway (w/o an ASL interpreter visible in a video call platform): the non-signer will ~learn~ to properly make eye contact with you by watching you signing, instead of ignorantly watching the interpreter voicing for you when it’s your floor. Basic etiquette!
Another personal option for easy go-to IRL (besides an ASL interpreter): @otter_ai. They’ve got an iOS app and web with a free plan option, and you can use the same structure/approach as above.
This option is more of a one-way conversation and non-interactive.
This option is more of a one-way conversation and non-interactive.
I once watched a live Instagram session on my laptop (w/ no CC! C’mon, Insta!), and propped my phone against the laptop’s screen to use @otter_ai, where I can comfortably watch both screens side-by-side.
You have your “English transcript” going, and then saved on your phone.
You have your “English transcript” going, and then saved on your phone.
A strong disclaimer: CART (Captioning Access Real Time) > ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition).
Automatic captioning isn’t always 100% accurate. Using ASR (i.e. Otter) is not the best option for a lot of deaf people, because our first language is ASL, and English second.
Automatic captioning isn’t always 100% accurate. Using ASR (i.e. Otter) is not the best option for a lot of deaf people, because our first language is ASL, and English second.
Ironically, this thread is entirely in English, not ASL.
Do I go and make an infographic? Maybe. Wanna chip in an ASL video of your version to this thread? Let’s do that! Share your behind-the-scene photos? This also helps!
Do I go and make an infographic? Maybe. Wanna chip in an ASL video of your version to this thread? Let’s do that! Share your behind-the-scene photos? This also helps!
#AskDeafTwitter: How do you do your video call with non-signers/hearies? Which method do you feel more comfortable with? Do you struggle receiving actual accessibility without having to make do? Do you have any advice or tips during these remote times? <0/
P.S. Here’s a great how-to ASL video by @convorelay explaining the steps of using a dial-in ASL interpreter on your @zoom_us calls (by using both of their desktop apps running simultaneously on your computer).
~Not sponsored!~
https://bit.ly/31m3m6c
~Not sponsored!~
https://bit.ly/31m3m6c
Another extremely important note to add:
If a video call is being used for a big meeting, or with a bunch of non-signers group, the host/company best (and heck, SHOULD, the law requires it) arrange to put in a live ASL interpreter as part of the participants or panelists.
If a video call is being used for a big meeting, or with a bunch of non-signers group, the host/company best (and heck, SHOULD, the law requires it) arrange to put in a live ASL interpreter as part of the participants or panelists.
The signer/user can either set it on gallery view or pin the interpreter on their own screen and follow along in a ~timely~ fashion.
This thread is also NOT "one size fits all."
This thread is also NOT "one size fits all."
