The 11 million Deaf and hard of hearing people in the U.S. encompasses a wide range of life experience and modes of communication, from being born Deaf to becoming hard of hearing later in life. All have a right to equivalent access to cellular devices to communicate and stay connected in our fast changing world.
Deaf or hard of hearing caller uses their cellular number to dial the number of the Deaf or hard of hearing person with a smartphone.
The network checks to see if the receiving party's number is registered in the Relay User Database. If so, a direct connection to the Deaf or hard of hearing individual is made.
The Deaf or hard of hearing individual receives the direct video call and communicates directly using video and/or live captioning.
Deaf or hard of hearing caller uses their cellular number to dial the number of the hearing person with a smartphone.
The network checks the Relay User Database for the receiver's number, if relay services are required the call is then automatically redirected to the caller's preferred Relay Service Provider.
Selected according to the Deaf caller's preference settings in their phone, either an ASL interpreter (Video Relay Service) or captions (IP Relay Service) automatically joins the call as it connects to the hearing person receiving the call.
With IRIS, the hearing person can now identify the caller as they would any other, through the caller's cellular phone number. They receive the call and communicate with the caller through the relay service interpreter or captionist.
Deaf or hard of hearing caller uses their cellular number to dial the number of the hearing person with a smartphone.
The network checks the Relay User Database for the receiver's number, if relay services are required the call is then automatically redirected to the caller's preferred Relay Service Provider.
Selected according to the caller's preference settings in their phone, either an ASL interpreter (Video Relay Service) or captions (IP Relay Service) automatically joins the call as it connects. Also supports on demand TRS: dynamically turning-on captioning during a VRS call, or dynamically bringing in VRS during a captioned call.
The hearing person can identify the caller as they would any other, through the caller's cellular phone number. They can receive the call and communicate with the Deaf caller through the relay service interpreter or captionist.
The hearing person can enable their video call in order to see the Deaf or hard of hearing caller in addition to the relay service provider.
Deaf, hard of hearing or Deaf-blind (DHHDB) caller uses their cellular number to dial the number for emergency services (911).
The network immediately identifies that the caller is DHHDB and connects the call to the preferred relay service provider.
The relay service provider identifies that the call is a 911 Emergency call and passes on information to the 911 Operator.
The 911 operator has access to the DHHDB caller through the relay service provider.
The 911 operator has access to the system level 911 GPS coordinates for passing on more accurate location services.
IRIS will have the capability of different call flows to connect with a 911 operator. We are exploring different scenarios to connect emergency calls. For more information with our work with Next Generation 911 services, contact us by filling out this form.
Industry partners work together to make your mobile calling experience complete.
Each cellular device is designed with an Operating System (OS) like Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS that provides users with a calling experience. The OS in your smartphone, for example, enables you to perform basic functions such as initiate calls using the dialpad or store personal contacts for caller identification and one-touch dialing.
Before Deaf people can make calls, additional phone numbers for each Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) provider are assigned, special apps are downloaded to access calls, a separate contact directory is maintained, and third party video/voice mail services are used.
With IRIS, none of that extra work is necessary because IRIS is already integrated with all those functions in your smartphone OS, off the shelf. You select your preferred TRS provider pre-loaded in the device's accessibility settings and you’re ready to make calls. Same number, no downloads, zero hassle.
The IRIS vision is aligned with the technologies that allows for interoperable video calling (an example is to have Apple's FaceTime connect with Google's Duo video call).
The network that connects your cellular device to data provides you with your unique phone number. Your cellular device depends on it to send and receive data, including video services. When you make a call, the Call Service Provider Network will check the Relay User database to see if you or the party you’re calling requires TRS services. The connected call can either be a point-to-point call or a call that includes a preferred relay service.
TRS companies provide access services compensated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). TRS includes video relay service (VRS) calls that integrate ASL interpreters, and, captioning services (IP-CTS) that integrate with a IP-CTS provider Communication Assistant (CA).
IRIS makes it possible to enable VRS in the accessibility settings built-in to your mobile device. You place a call and, when needed, the industry partners work together automatically and seamlessly to connect you with your preferred ASL interpreter service provider.
When you enable IP-CTS in your mobile device settings, captions automatically appear on your screen via your selected CA provider when you place any video or voice call directly from your mobile device.
IRIS makes it possible for us to call 911 directly from our mobile devices, using our unique cellular phone number. IRIS leverages existing mobile device capabilities to connect us faster and to guide first responders more accurately to us.
IRIS makes possible an immediate, voice-to-text supported connection with the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (e.g. 911 Operator). 3-Party Video activates when a VRS Interpreter joins the call, according to your device accessibility settings. IRIS leverages existing GPS and camera capabilities to empower anyone caught in a crisis to silently SHOW rather than tell first responders EXACTLY what’s going on and, exactly WHERE help is needed. IRIS enables a faster, more efficient response when every second matters.