Proud Geek

(Update: all of this info is now contained in a separate page on my blog; I will no longer edit or update this post — instead, please visit the Video Relay Services page.)

I’ve tried my best to list the various video relay services available in the United States, in alphabetical order. I also included their IP addresses that you could add to your videophone, the number (if any) that voice callers can call, and any special features these VRS services provide. If there are any errors or omissions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll add or revise accordingly. A couple of these VRS providers’ webpages depended heavily on Flash animation and did not have specific links to features.

AT&T VRS:

• What to dial: ATTVRS.TV
• Hearing callers: 1-888-VRS-9998
• AT&T VRS also offers vSoft (a downloadable computer program), web browser-based calling, VCO, and a phonebook.

CACVRS:

• What to dial: CACVRS.TV
• Hearing callers: 866-500-9662
• CACVRS also offers web browser-based VRS and Nextalk (a downloadable program through NXi Communications and URelay)
• CACVRS also provides HawkRelay VRS.

CSDVRS:

• What to dial: CSDVRS.TV
• Hearing callers: 800-538-9881
• CSDVRS also offers VCO, Spanish VRS, personalized voice mail, web browser-based VRS, and VRS call-back.
• CSDVRS services are provided in conjunction with Sprint.

Hamilton VRS:

• What to dial: HamiltonVRS.tv
• Hearing callers: 866-498-4777
• Hamilton VRS offers web-based VRS and video mail.

Hands On VRS:

• What to dial: HOVRS.TV
• Hearing callers: 877-467-4877 English or 877-467-4875 Español
• HOVRS also offers web browser-based calling, Spanish VRS, simultaneous hovrsIM / VPchat, Videosign (a downloadable computer program), HOVRS Widget for the Macintosh, your own phone book, and point-to-point (deaf person to deaf person) calling via Videosign.

Hawk Relay VRS:

• What to dial: HawkRelay.tv
• Provided by CACRelay.

i711 VRS (by Go America):

• What to dial: web-based only
• i711 VRS provides web-based calling (Internet Explorer only) and “VRS Notepad” (for numbers and other difficult-to-spell information)

IP-Relay VRS:

• What to dial: TV.IPVRS.COM
• Hearing callers: no number (?)
• IP-Relay VRS also offers HCO / VCO and web-based VRS.
• Provided by Verizon.

Lifelinks VRS:

• What to dial: 69.18.207.166 or 38.98.86.70
• Hearing callers: no number (?)
• Lifelinks VRS also offer Sightspeed (a downloadable computer program) and Spanish VRS.

Sorenson VRS:

• What to dial on the videophone: 1-866-327-8877 (if using non-Sorenson equipment)
• Hearing callers: 1-866-FAST-VRS or 1-866-327-8877
• Sorenson also offers its own VP-100 and VP-200 videophones, EnVision (a downloadable computer program), and a customized NetMeeting computer program. If using these, the ability to call Sorenson VRS is built in.
• Special feature: You can use Sorenson VRS to call 911! See my recent post on this.

Viable VRS:

• What to dial: ViableVRS.tv
• Hearing callers: no number (?)
• Viable VRS supports any PC videoconferencing program that can dial ViableVRS.tv

Sprint VRS:

• What to dial: SprintVRS.tv
• Hearing callers: 1-866-410-5787
• Sprint VRS also offers MySprintVRS Number, SprintVRS Mail, Spanish VRS, and SprintVRSvco.tv.
• Sprint also operates Federal VRS.

Federal VRS:

• What to dial: FedVRS.tv
• Hearing callers: 1-866-448-2503
• Federal VRS also offers Federal VRS Mail and Spanish VRS.
• Federal VRS has some limitations on who / when can use this service.
• Federal VRS is operated by Sprint.

There are also numerous state-specific VRS services, but all of them are being provided under contract with Sprint or Hamilton VRS. TDI Online has a complete list of links to these state VRS services, although a couple of links may be outdated. (I should note that Maryland now has a VRS service, provided in conjunction with AT&T.) (Edit: Maryland only provides a page with links to different VRS providers.)

Wikipedia has some good information on Video Relay Services, with links.