Sorenson, the leading language service provider of inclusive communication services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and diverse, has partnered with Zoom Video Communications Inc. to bring the first app that allows hosts to request American Sign Language (ASL) and provide interpretation on Zoom calls.

Jorge Rodríguez, CEO of Sorenson, said:

As one of the leading global language services providers, we are pleased to pioneer this landmark effort, and we look forward to future collaborations with Zoom.

Always updating

Processing 140 million calls in all languages and countries each year, Sorenson developed the new ASL interpretation app as part of a global mission to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for underrepresented people.

As the first ASL interpreter app of its kind available on the Zoom App Marketplace, Sorenson for Zoom enables meeting hosts to seamlessly integrate an ASL interpreter into on-demand calls without the need to schedule separate ASL interpreter services in advance.

The Sorenson web app also provides Zoom Meeting hosts and participants access to invite an on-demand ASL interpreter to meetings.

Connecting people so relationships can thrive

Sorenson notes that on-demand interpreters make it easy for deaf business owners to hold remote meetings, deaf parents to communicate with teachers remotely, deaf people in two different locations to video conference with family and friends, and more.

“We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive language services that give people the tools they need to converse in their natural language, providing them with true connection through communication. We are proud to team up with Zoom in this initiative to realize our mission of making video calls more accessible to everyone, including people who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing,” added Rodríguez.

Introducing an all-new way to use Sorenson Relay: Sorenson for @Zoom VRS. Sorenson interpreters in your Zoom meetings for everything on one screen. Want to try it? We'll help you get started! Sign up for a webinar here. https://t.co/8vrhQ7Pvdp#ConnectBeyondWords pic.twitter.com/5tRU5i9Ruz

— Sorenson (@Sorenson_Comm) March 28, 2023

The easy-to-use Zoom platform is available on most devices. Some additional benefits of using Sorenson for Zoom include:

• Deaf participants can see their meeting and the interpreter in the same window — no need to toggle back and forth between a videophone and the Zoom window.
• Both Deaf participants and interpreters can view shared screens and content in meetings while still seeing each other.
• Interpreters can see the meeting participants, allowing them to easily identify speakers and convey unspoken context.
• With the ability to see everything in the meeting, interpreters will now be able to see screen sharing which allows for more accurate interpreting.
• Hearing participants can also see the interpreter, so they can pause to allow time for the messages to be relayed.

“It is so user friendly and allows us to be as autonomous as possible in quickly being able to schedule Zoom Meetings without having to schedule interpreters, plus it’s helpful to have them right in the screen rather than on a separate monitor. All the interpreters are top notch and do their jobs well,” said Barbara White, a Sorenson for Zoom user from California School for the Deaf, Fremont.

Sorenson for Zoom is available on the Zoom App Marketplace, allowing meeting hosts to seamlessly integrate an ASL interpreter into Zoom meetings as an active video participant, making virtual meetings more convenient and inclusive for deaf people or hard of hearing.