Gracias VRS is a Division of ASL Services Holdings LLC, an FCC Eligible VRS Provider

Archive for the ‘National News & Events’ Category

THE FCC NEEDS YOU!

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

FCC LogoThe Federal Communications Commission, FCC, wants the opinion of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community regarding the changes planned on the way the Video Relay Service is paid and provided. Recently, concerned about the TRS Funds usage among other issues, the FCC decided to start a reform process and is seeking people like you to guide them in the process. Even though this is under a limited time opportunity to have a say in the matter, please still make your comments today!

The information from the FCC is available in ASL, English, and now it is also available in Spanish.

Gracias VRS noticed that the materials were only in English and conscious of the needs of the Latino community in the United States and Puerto Rico, asked the FCC to provide an accessible Spanish translation of the materials regarding the new reform. We would like to take the opportunity to express our thanks to the FCC commissioners who made the texts available for Spanish speaking individuals.

Access the following links below and see videos in ASL and English captions as to what the proposed VRS reforms are and why the FCC is considering these reforms. Also we have provided the Spanish links in case you have someone who can benefit from those. Remember, you can send your comments in English, Spanish and ASL. Do it now!

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/vrs-reform

Spanish Links:

Spanish html: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/spanish/videorelayreform.html

Spanish pdf: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/spanish/videorelayreform.pdf

Spanish directory with links to these: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/spanishlinks.html

 

The Way to Success – Interpreter Development Workshop in Austin, TX

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Austin Interpreters for the DeafOn March 10th 2012 the Austin Interpreters for the Deaf and Gracias VRS are presenting the conference “Leadership: The Way to Success”. This conference will be presented by José Bertrán M.A., Psy.S a licensed psychologist and Interpreter from Puerto Rico. The event will be held at the Austin Community College Highland Business Center from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. The workshop will help the participants discover the leader within and use those attributes or “distinctions” to move to the next level on their life. The workshop has 0.7 CEU from RID and BEI. All interpreters are invited to attend. Please contact Monica Gallego, AID vice-president at austin.interpretersvp1@gmail.com.

Please find the flyer attached
for download here.

 

SEÑAS DE AMISTAD BEYOND BORDERS

Thursday, March 1st, 2012


Gracias VRS stands for the equality and dignity of all human beings. Señas de Amistad Beyond Borders (Signs of Friendship Beyond Borders) is an event that addresses that issue in a very special way. They plan to unite about 600 people right at the border between the US and México to share their culture, their language and the one thing that binds them all; that they are human beings!

This event has been happening since 2009 but Mr. Daniel Watman, one of the main coordinators of the event, informed Gracias Spotlight that this year it will be organized in a way that will allow even more people to attend and enjoy. Señas de Amistad, Beyond Borders 2012 will have salsa music in Spanish and English, Art shows and communication via binoculars so that both sides can see each other and even though the border divides them physically, they can feel united by sharing their culture and uniqueness as Deaf Latino’s.

The Señas de Amistad Beyond Borders will be held March 31st, 2012 from 12 midday to 4 pm pacific standard time. All of those that want to attend should contact Mr. Daniel Watman (San Diego) at (619) 954-9710 or Miriam Quino (Tijuana, México) at (664) 294-6848.

Gracias VRS is really pleased that the Deaf and Hearing Latino Communities at the border are making headway with events like this that really portray the best of what inclusion is all about. We congratulate all the organizers of this event and hope it will be a success!

Remember that Gracias VRS is here 24/7, 365 days a week to do just that, unite people and communities through our warm, friendly and professional Video interpreters. Family is at the very core of our company so everyone that calls through Gracias VRS is treated like a Family member who just came back home. Try us today, we can do Spanish, English and ASL and remember… WE ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU!

Please watch out our Facebook and Twitter so that you see more updates related to this event.


Press Notice
For immediate release

Show your support for the binational deaf community and come to this great event!
Make friends across barriers!

In the current divided and limited world it’s easy to get used to these conditions and slowly loose the the real significance of the cultural richness and diversity all around us. One of the groups affected by these marginalizations are deaf people who for years have suffered in silence in trying to express their worries and needs and ending up being left out because of linguistic, work, and social differences.

In search of real change, a growing group of people and organizations commited to the deaf community is uniting as a cultural and communication bridge between deaf and hearing people and their efforts have been focused around the ¨Señas de amistad beyond borders¨ wich will take place on Saturday, March 31st at the binational friendship park on the beach on the US side and on a lookout on the Mexican side. It will be at 12pm. Deaf and hearing people from both sides of the US and Mexican sides of the border arrange to meet at this location, with the purpose of creating friendship across the border fence, using sign language as a literal and symbolic unity that overcomes barriers through this common interest.

We would like to invite the deaf community of Tijuana and San Diego and the surrounding area including family, friends, bosses, and all others who want to support the binational deaf culture, to attend this event in order to learn how to help break down barriers and take a great step toward unity and equality.

Contacts:
Daniel Watman Coordinator (San Diego) 619 954 9710
Miriam Quino Coordinator (Tijuana) 664 294 6848

Support binational deaf community, enjoy this great event!

 

Message from the President of Gracias VRS

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Angela Roth, CEO of Gracias VRS has a message for our wonderful Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients.

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!!

 

Hurricane Guide for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

With the Hurricane Season here, this site provides the important educational video from Miami Dade Government.

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

 

ASL Services & GVRS Proudly Representing at RID

Friday, July 15th, 2011

American Sign Language Services, Inc. (ASL Services) and Gracias VRS knows that the economy has been hard and wants to applaud all those who have made arrangements to be at the RID National Conference in Atlanta, GA. Taking out the time and setting aside the resources to participate in the exciting conference will certainly be of great benefit to you and your Professional Development!

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!

 

Report: DeafNation Greensboro 2011

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Gracias VRS is the leading global access video relay services provider between the Deaf and Hearing communities. As such, we attended the Deaf Nation Expo in Greensboro, North Carolina. Deaf Nation is the premier international trade show for and by Deaf. Approximately 500 Deaf individuals, providers, and allies of the Deaf community enthusiastically interacted and socialized throughout the day.

Around 300 new and current clients visited our booth to get information on the NEWEST technology available as it relates to consumers of American Sign Language. Demostrations took place throughout the day where clients were walked through downloading and setting up the newest smart phone applications. In addition, iPad 2’s were available to demo this thrilling new technology.

At the end of the event, Gracias VRS gave away 2 gift bags with exciting Gracias VRS promotional items. Furthermore, Gracias VRS was the only company to give away a CUSTOM designed Flip™ Video Camera! Check back to GraciasVRS.com to discover where we’ll be next!!!

Gracias VRS Booth @ Opening

Gracias VRS Booth at DeafNation Greensboro

The Booth Again! We Love Our Booth.

DeafNation Communication!

Shane with Victor Davy -- our winner of the custom-designed flip camera

 

Orlando: Deaf Basketball March Madness

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Press Release

Gracias VRS – Video Event Announcement

Video Translation as follows:
Welcome to Gracias VRS News!
March is basketball madness month and it starts with a very important event for the deaf:
the 2011 Southeast Athletic Association for the Deaf Basketball Tournament.

Different teams will compete for the first place. Frequently people think basketball competition only for men but that’s not true – we women also play basketball and we’re very skilled.

Both men a women team will be there for the competition and the event will happen March 3rd to 5th at the Orlando Sports Center in Florida

Gracias VRS will be there at a booth on Friday March 4th 8:00am 5:00pm and Saturday March 5th 2011 from 8:00am to 7:00pm
Come and visit us there for surprises and fun. Also please visit our website www.graciasvrs.com and click on the spotlight section to learn more about deaf basketball. And remember that Gracias VRS is always with you!!

 

2011 NBDA Conference

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Summer 2011. National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc (NBDA) welcomes you to 2011 NBDA Conference – Miss Black Deaf America Pageant, in Charlotte, NC. For all the details, contact secretary@nbda.org or visit www.nbda.org.

 

OC Deaf & Disneyland Deaf Awareness Day 2011

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

More Info: Disneyland Deaf Awareness Day – Facebook

OC Deaf Facebook Page

OCDEAF The Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation, better known as OC-DEAF, was established in 1979 as an outreach office of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. (GLAD). Today, OC-DEAF is an independent, tax-exempt, non-profit organization with affiliate ties to GLAD. Over the years, OC-DEAF, through its individual consumer service provision to more than ten thousand individuals annually, has dramatically improved the quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing persons and their families