Transcription:

Hi, you are here at the Gracias VRS website and the whole Gracias VRS team is excited and ready to offer you fast, deaf friendly quality VRS services. Some of you already know us. We have been supporting other companies, and you might have wondered, what happened? We have not seen you?? You are gone!! Well FCC regulations lay out that it was time for us to no longer be on a support role, but to stand on our own. And that’s exactly what we have done and as a result, FCC has given us approval to offer services as an eligible provider. And we are known as ASL Services Holdings LLC. Our brand name is Gracias VRS.

Now we say Gracias because we are committed that the top 3 languages of our nation and this entire hemisphere should be respected: English, ASL and Spanish are all equally to be recognized and supported. We come from a diverse background, just like you! We have Deaf communities, hearing, family experiences, professional services; we have language variances, different cultural backgrounds. We just don’t throw in ‘diversity’ and say, “ ohh yeah we do that too!! We actually live it! And as a result that we live it, we know that means every person has a right to express and be understood. And that is our focus. That is why we want to provide you warm, friendly, culturally and linguistically-aware service and we are willing to adjust to do whatever we need to and pull in the best person on our team to make sure we meet your needs.

Our website, Facebook, Twitter, you will see in the next few months that, yes, it has info about our services. But more importantly, you will see that our focus is on communication with the community in all its forms and in all the ways that we express it. So watch for some of the special surprises that will come. Some of the interesting features that will be unique on Gracias and you want to watch for Cozmo over here, our little sassy mascot. So keep watching our website often and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And most importantly remember every time to use our services. We always appreciate you. This is why we will always say “GRACIAS”, thank you for using us.

So to those faces that we have known before, welcome back and to the new faces, come on, give us a try! I think you are going to find what you have been looking for. That you can get it all with Gracias because we truly do care. We are just like you.

Welcome to Gracias!!

Spanish Calls, English Calls, Spanish AND English Calls, we do it all! Experience a better way to use VRS.  Dial graciasvrs.tv on your videophone today.

We are Here to Serve You

(The video is in ASL and captioned)
Click Here: Hurricane Guide for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

As this was the first time RID and Mano have collaborated on a full conference, the schedule was packed full of presentations with new information. Presented to audiences in English, ASL, and Spanish, the information included concepts of interpreting in multi-cultural settings that are universally beneficial to all interpreters.

So, starting Sunday July 17, 2011, this hard working trilingual team hit the ground running and did not stop the whole week.

To ensure everyone could benefit fully and learn in their native tongue, the Trilingual Spanish Interpreting Team moved seamlessly between Spanish, English, and ASL as needed.

They were able to interpret any tracks presented in Spanish into English and ASL. Also, any ASL presentations done were voiced in Spanish and English. The trilingual team was also on-call to voice into Spanish any RID requested workshops presented in English/ASL. It was a great example of collaboration when the Trilingual Spanish team and Gallaudet Interpreting Services (GIS) teamed up to interpret several of the workshops.

Not only did this trilingual team manage both a full-time and on-call interpreting schedule, but several members of the Trilingual Spanish team also provided or partook in workshops and leadership trainings.

The work and skills of the Trilingual Spanish team, RID, and Mano a Mano will no doubt open the door for more attendees on both the National and International level.

Left to Right: Angela Roth (Coordinator); Tara J. Roth-Mollinedo (Coordinator); Sergio Peña ;Carmelo Falu; Kristie Casanova de Canales; Mathew Call; Saul Artega; Jennette Ocampo-Welch; Gustavo Navarrete; Marina Martinez; Arlene Narvaez; Victor Luis Gaston

On the International scene, the buzz for North America started when Mano President, David Quinto-Pozos, announced that the Mano a Mano International Committee Co-chairs, Angela Roth (FL) and José Bertrán (PR), in close collaboration with now Vice President of World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI), Jose Luis Brieva of Columbia, succeeded in the acceptance of Mano a Mano’s application to WASLI. Mano a Mano’s joining of WASLI shines a bright light on future international collaborations and support between the organizations.

When we look at the National horizon, it was announced by RID President, Cheryl Moose, and Mano President, David Quinto-Pozos, that a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) between RID and Mano a Mano has been established at the culmination of 12 years of collaboration.

And when it comes to “Thinking Globally,” RID set the standard! They announced that RID and Mano a Mano will be working together to establish more multi-cultural and diverse workshops as well as making every workshop accessible in English, ASL, and Spanish, starting with RID’s 2013 conference in Indianapolis.

We are thankful for the continued efforts and support of:
RID President Cheryl Moose and the RID Board; RID Interim Director Mathew O’Hara; RID conference Coordinator Cori Dorsett; RID Staff Member Elijah Sow; Mano a Mano President David Quinto and the Mano a Mano Board; the GIS Team coordinated by Gino Gouby and Carolyn Ressler along with the entire 2011 Interpreting Team

So mark your calendars for the 2013 Conference in Indianapolis.
Plan to join in for the continued inclusion of all cultures and languages and the ability for everyone to enjoy training and learning more about these cultures in their own language!

American Sign Language Services, Inc. (ASL Services) and Gracias VRS knows the value of staying actively involved in our profession. As a result, we are proud to announce that ASL Services, Inc. are Platinum Sponsors of the RID National Conference and Gracias VRS are the sponsor of Mano A Mano! In addition, members of the ASL Services, Inc. and Gracias VRS team will also be the coordinators for all trilingual interpreting at the conference and additional members of our companies are also on various boards including the RID Diversity Committee.

Your experience at RID should be education but fun as well. Come by our booths (308/310) and visit with members of our team to learn more about the many opportunities with ASL Services, Inc and GraciasVRS…. and also to spin our wheel to win prizes!

For Individuals who have actually worked for ASL Services, Inc and/or Gracias VRS, we have a very special “Thank You” for the work you do to proudly and professionally represent our companies. Our President/CEO and Director of Training will be on hand to personally meet with you face-to-face and give you a special gift during a special VIP Breakfast on Wednesday, July 20th from 7:00am-8:00am in room L508.

American Sign Language Services, Inc. (ASL Services) and Gracias VRS are extremely proud to be involved in the 2011 RID National Conference. We know It will certainly prove to be a fantastic week and we very much look forward to seeing you there!

Deaf Wet N’ Wild Bash!
Date: Saturday, July 16th, 2011
Time: 9am to 6pm
Location: Wet N’ Wild Orlando

On Saturday July 16th come join Gracias VRS for some wet fun at the Deaf Wet N Wild Bash in Orlando FL! GraciasVRS welcomes you to stop by our table to get some free sun block to protect yourself and pick up a complimentary GraciasVRS bag for your wet clothes.

Gracias VRS Cares!

visit www.wetnwildorlando.com to get your admission tickets online.

More than 30 people from the Deaf Community attended the event and were very happy to see it interpreted live. They commented that they were very happy that these  two companies were able to sponsor the interpretation service. One of the Deaf at the event commented” I am amazed that they thought about us, never before had I seen Interpreters in an event like this” another Deaf said “ I am from Cabo Rojo and I told my husband that we should attend because our Deaf friends told us that the event had interpreters present, I could not believe it but there they were, we are very happy”  Another group of Deaf people present said that  they were form Mayagüez and that they felt very  Proud for Barea because he is from their hometown.

We also had the opportunity to interview the interpreters.  Mrs Moreno, one of the interpreters said “ from the stage we could see a lot of people, the Deaf in the crowd made the I love you sign to us which made me feel good with the work we were doing”, Mr Gilberto García, Director of ASL Services Latino in the island said” the energy and the emotiveness of the people could be easily felt, the Deaf present were waiving and signing at us and at the end some of them came to say thank you”

We would like to honor and give special thanks to the Mayor of Mayagúuez, Jose Guillermo Rodríguez, for allowing that the

interpreters could be provided for the accessibility of the Deaf community of the West Side of the island and especially for those that live in Mayagüez.