About
Sorenson Communications is a global language services provider specializing in accessibility and inclusive communication. Their core offerings include American Sign Language (ASL) video relay services (VRS), which allow deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to communicate with hearing people over the phone via certified interpreters. They also provide on-demand video remote interpreting (VRI), in-person interpreting, and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning for events, meetings, and broadcasts. The platform extends into speech translation and multilingual interpretation services for businesses and enterprises, covering a wide range of industries including healthcare, legal, education, and government. Sorenson's technology stack includes mobile apps for video relay calls, captioning software, and integrations that support real-time communication accessibility at scale. Sorenson serves both individual deaf/hard-of-hearing users and large organizations seeking to meet ADA compliance and inclusive communication standards. Their Video Relay Service is available at no cost to eligible users in the United States under FCC regulations, while enterprise captioning, interpretation, and translation services are offered on a paid basis.
Key Features
- ASL Video Relay Service (VRS): Enables deaf and hard-of-hearing users to make phone calls through certified ASL interpreters via video, available at no cost to eligible U.S. users under FCC guidelines.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): On-demand remote interpreting via video for medical, legal, educational, and corporate settings, eliminating the need for an in-person interpreter.
- CART Captioning: Real-time Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning for live events, meetings, webinars, and broadcasts to ensure accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants.
- Multilingual Speech Translation: Supports interpretation and translation across dozens of spoken languages, serving global enterprises with diverse communication needs.
- Mobile App for Relay Calls: Dedicated iOS and Android apps allow deaf users to initiate and receive video relay calls anytime, with access to on-demand ASL interpreters.
Pros
- Free VRS for Eligible Users: The Video Relay Service is available at no charge to deaf and hard-of-hearing users in the U.S., funded through the FCC's Telecommunications Relay Service program.
- Comprehensive Accessibility Coverage: Combines ASL interpreting, captioning, and multilingual translation in a single provider, making it a one-stop solution for inclusive communication.
- Enterprise-Grade Reliability: Trusted by healthcare, legal, and government organizations with strict compliance requirements, offering certified interpreters and professional-grade captioning.
- Multi-Platform Access: Services are accessible via web, iOS, and Android apps, ensuring users can connect from virtually any device.
Cons
- Paid Enterprise Services Can Be Costly: Beyond the free VRS offering, professional captioning and multilingual interpretation services require paid contracts, which may be expensive for small businesses.
- VRS Limited to U.S. Users: The free Video Relay Service is only available to users within the United States under FCC regulations, limiting accessibility for international deaf users.
- Interpreter Availability May Vary: On-demand interpreter availability can vary depending on language pair and time zone, potentially leading to wait times during peak demand.
