Customer using VRS

Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association offers several choices to meet your customer service needs.
  • Videophone - help.nebvrs.tv
  • E-mail - Click "E-mail" on left menu.
  • Voice - 1-800-296-3808
  • Fax - 1-727-443-1219

About Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association


Reach out and sign to someone

    Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association enables users who use sign language to communicate via videoconferencing with a Video Interpreter (VI) through the internet. The VI then voices/relays the signed conversation over the phone - in real time- to the hearing caller. By using sign language over the full motion video, this allows the sign language user to fully express in their natural language and convey facial expression and cues to ensure nothing gets lost in the translation.

   With Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association, there's no typing, no extended delay, and no "GA"s - hassle-free, faster communication that flows as freely as a natural conversation.

Operating Hours & Access Numbers


VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week

Spanish Translation VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week
For Hearing Callers
1-866-926-8877

Step 1 - Select one of the menu options:
  • Press one for English
  • Press two for Spanish
Step 2 - After you select the language, select one of the menu optoins:
  • Press one if you know the extension of the person you are calling
  • Press two for an explanation of how to use the service
Step 3 - Give the Video Interpreter (VI) one of following for the person you are calling:
  • IP Address
  • clearblue Mail extension number

International Calls


    All VRS calls must  either originate or terminate in the United States and/or U.S. territories.  To place an international call, the caller must begin or end the call within the United States and/or U.S. territories.

VRS calls can be processed in the following countries:
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • Venezuela

No 911 Calls


    We strongly encourage you to dial 911 directly to receive prompt and faster emergency services via TTY or phone. However, if an VRS emergency call reaches the Video Interpreter, the VI will do whatever is necessary to quickly handle the call and pass and relevant information to the emergency agency. We recommend that you verify your address, city and state so that the VRS emergency call can be processed quicker. Please be aware that VRS emergency calls may take longer then dialing 911 directly.

No 711 and TTY Relay Calls


    Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association handles only video to voice calls or voice to video relay calls. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled that Video Relay through a TTY relay service is not permitted.

No Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Calls


   VRI calls are not allowed through Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association. Video Relay Service (VRS) is a telephone relay service to provide communication between a person who is deaf, hard of hearing or who has speech-disability that uses sign language to communicate with a hearing caller.

   Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) service is an interpreting service using video cameras between voice and sign language users in the same room.

Spanish Translation

En Español

   Sign language to Spanish is now available for deaf and hard of hearing sign language users to communicate with hearing persons that speak Spanish. Video interpreters will translate sign language to Spanish, and Spanish to sign language. (Spanish sign language to Spanish is currently not available.)

Spanish Translation VRS Operating Hours
Available 24-hours a day / 7 days a week

To use Video Relay Service with Spanish
  • Videophone Users: spanish.nebvrs.tv
  • Webcam Users: www.nebvrs.com and check the "Spanish" button
  • Hearing Users: 1-866-926-8877 and press two for Spanish

Traducciones en Español en el Servicio de Relevo de Video (VRS)

In English

   Transliteración del lenguaje de seña al español hablado está disponible para las personas sordas y sordos parciales que son usuarios de señas para comunicarse con personas oyentes que habla español. Los intérpretes del relevo en Video traducirá el lenguaje de señas al español hablado y del español hablado al lenguaje de señas. (Actualmente no está disponible el lenguaje de señas español al español hablado.)

NEBVRS Voice Carry Over (VCO)


   New VCO Feature for NEBVRS Users: Allows a deaf or hard-of-hearing user, who prefers to voice for themselves, to speak directly to their party while a video interpreter signs what the hearing person is saying. Based on the VCO user’s communication preference, the video interpreter will use American Sign Language, English-based Sign Language or an English-based Sign Language (close up) option for those that benefit from speech reading to process their VRS call. A demonstration of these three communication preferences can be seen below:

View VCO samples

American Sign Language (ASL) Only
  • The Video Interpreter will sign using American Sign Language.
English Based Sign Language Only
  • The Video Interpreter will sign using English Based Sign Language.
English Based Sign Language and Lip Reading.
  • Sitting closer to the camera, the Video Interpreter will sign using English-based Sign Language along with an emphasis on lip movements so that the VCO user may also benefit from speech reading.
Important: VCO users will benefit from this new enhancement by registering or updating their VRS profile located in the “Login” section of www.nebvrs.com. By updating their user profile, the Video Interpreter will have the following information to expedite their call:
  • Quickly identify VCO caller
  • Identify VCO user’s selected communication preference
  • Automatically dial the VCO user’s “call back” phone number
To use NEBVRS VCO:
  • Videophone users: vco.nebvrs.tv
  • Web-cam users: www.nebvrs.com and check the “VCO” button.

For Hearing Callers


1-866-926-8877

Step 1 - Select one of the menu options:
  • Press one for English
  • Press two for Spanish
Step 2 - After you select the language, select one of the menu options:
  • Press one if you know the extension of the person you are calling
  • Press two for an explanation of how to use the service
Step 3 - Give the Video Interpreter (VI) one of following for the person you are calling:
  • IP Address
  • NEBVRS Mail extension number

Contacting the FCC


   You may submit comments to the FCC on VRS issues. Comments should be mailed to Ms. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554 with copies mailed to Thomas Chandler, Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office, at the same address. Alternatively you may file your comments electronically by going to http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi.

   Fill out the cover sheet, putting down 98-67 as the proceeding. Then scroll down to "Send a Brief Comment to the FCC" near the bottom of the page, type in your message, and send it. Copies of your electronic filing should also be sent to Thomas Chandler, Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office, at (thomas.chandler@fcc.gov).

FCC E-filing Instructions

    If you would like to make comments to the FCC about this issue, please go to the fcc.gov website. Your comments will become part of the permanent record for this issue.
  1. Type in ecfs in the "search" box.
  2. The Electronic Comment Filing System page will pop up.
  3. Click on the first or second selection. (FCC Electronic Comment Filing System).
  4. This changes, depending on the volume of calls to each. You want the screen that has a box on the right with a list of “ECFS Main Links”
  5. Under the ECFS Main Links, you will see an option that says “Submit a Filing.” Click that.
  6. Fill out the form, putting 98-67 as the proceeding (line #1).
  7. Right below that form, there is another box entitled "Send Comment Files to the FCC (Attachments)" To the right of that is a box entitled "browse." Browse to your computer files.
  8. Click on the proper document, select a file type (e.g. Microsoft WORD) in the middle box, and click "Send Attached File."
  9. If you have a second document to send, on the next page, you will be prompted to send additional documents or finish the transaction.

Relay calls are acceptable under HIPPA requirements


    Important information for health care professionals concerned about the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) on the use of relay services is available on the web:

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Public Notice clarifying use of relay services by Health Care Professionals:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1716A1.doc

Additional Information is available from Medical Economics a magazine on 'business associate' concerns (please scroll down to 'Services for the Hearing Impaired'):
http://www.memag.com/memag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=122251

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Do I have to pay for using Video Relay Service?
  2. Who funds VRS?
  3. Is there a time limit for a call?
  4. Who can I call?
  5. Can a deaf person using VRS call another deaf person who has video equipment?
  6. Can I make a VCO call with VRS?
       Yes you can!

    Using a webcam with your computer
    a. Check the VCO button
    b. Select your communication preferences in the "I prefer" box.
    c. Type in the "Call To" phone number of the person you want to call.
    d. Type in the "Call Back" phone number for the Video Interpreter (VI)      to call you.
    e. Type in any special instructions in the "Subject" box.
    f. Click the DIAL button.
    g. The VI will call your number and connect you to the person
         you want to call.
    h. The person you call will be able to hear your voice.
    i. The VI will sign everything the hearing caller says to you.
     
    Using a D-Link Videophone with your TV
    a. Add vco.nebvrs.tv name to your Speed Dial list and in the
         "Enter an address" field.
    b. Simply highlight vco.nebvrs.tv with your remote control
         and press ENTER
    c. Let the VI know that you want to use VCO.
    d. Give the VI your call back number and the number of the
         person you want to call.
    e. The VI will call your number and connect you to the person
         you want to call.
    f. The person you call will be able to hear your voice.
    g. The VI will sign everything the hearing caller says to you.

    For both Webcam and Videophone users
    a. Click on "Login" on top of the screen.
    b. Type in your Username and Password
    c. Check the VCO box at #18.
    d. If you are a D-Link Videophone user, check the YES button, and
         enter your D-Link phone number or video IP address at #14.
    e. Type in your "Call Back" phone number for the VI to call you.
    f. Select your "I Prefer" communication options.
    g. After completing this profile, each time you call at NEBVRS.TV,
         your VCO information will be set up automatically for you!

  7. Do the interpreters meet the national certification requirements?
  8. What is a VRS Web Flasher?
  9. How do I access nebvrs.tv through D-Link or other video equipment?