SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwired - Jan 17, 2014) -  Today, Sorenson Communications^®, the largest employer of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in the U.S., announced that in 2013, the company sponsored 540 interpreting workshops for hundreds of ASL interpreters. The workshops provided an opportunity for Sorenson employees as well as community interpreters to earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs), which are needed to maintain professional certification status and continue to work as professional ASL interpreters.

Sorenson, the leading Video Relay Service (VRS) provider for those who use sign language to communicate, helps to advance national interpreting standards by dedicating resources to the ongoing professional development of Sorenson interpreters as well as interpreters throughout the country.

"In an attempt to better serve customers and the greater deaf community, Sorenson invests heavily in the professional development and enhancement of all ASL interpreters' skills," explains Chris Wakeland, Sorenson Communications vice president of interpreting. "We do this because we care about and attend to the communication needs of our deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. The support offered ensures interpreters receive needed training so they are confident about their work as they strive to do their best."

Last year, through Sorenson-sponsored workshops, about 160,000 CEUs were awarded to eligible interpreters. As in past years, the workshops also provided an opportunity for interpreters to donate to local communities and deaf groups, including schools, youth camps, sports and senior clubs and interpreter organizations. More than $8,500 was donated to local groups by interpreters attending 2013 CEU workshops.

Amy Kalmus, Sorenson Communications director of professional development and training, says, "Due to the rigorous demands of Video Relay Service interpreting work, it is critical for interpreters to engage in continuing professional development. This is how they are able to maintain the highest standards of excellence and provide top-quality customer service. By providing training opportunities for employee and non-employee interpreters, Sorenson better supports customers that use VRS."

Hundreds of Sorenson-sponsored workshops and training sessions are planned for 2014 for video interpreters who work in Sorenson VRS interpreting centers. Other learning opportunities for Sorenson interpreters will include eLearning and distance-based educational opportunities. "We look forward to providing a variety of workshops and training opportunities that will benefit interpreters across the country and empower them to meet the needs of any given interpreting situation," Kalmus says.

About Sorenson Communications
Sorenson Communications^® (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications products and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The company's offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service^® (SVRS^®), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson ntouch^® VP videophone, designed especially for use by deaf individuals; ntouch^® PC, software that connects users to SVRS by using a PC and webcam; ntouch^® for Mac^®, software that connects users to SVRS by using an Apple^® computer; ntouch^® Tablet, which turns the Apple iPad^® with a front-facing camera into a larger-screen mobile VP; and ntouch^® Mobile, an application empowering SVRS communication via mobile devices.

Disclaimer
If you choose Sorenson as your default provider, you can port your existing 10-digit number to Sorenson from another provider or Sorenson can provide you with one for the geographic area where you live or work. If you later change your default provider, you can port your number to that provider. When selecting Sorenson, you must provide to Sorenson the physical address (i.e., the Registered Location) from which you are placing the call, so that Sorenson can properly route any 911 calls you may make. If you move or change your location, you must notify Sorenson immediately. You can update your Registered Location from your Sorenson videophone by calling 800-659-4810 or by visiting www.svrs.com/moving. Sorenson will confirm receipt of your Registered Location information. Emergency calls made via internet-based TRS may not function the same as traditional E911 service. For example, you may not be able to dial 911 if there is an internet-service failure or if you lose electrical power, and your 911 call may not be routed correctly if you have not updated your Registered Location. For more information on the process of obtaining 10-digit numbers and the limitations and risks associated with using Sorenson's VRS to place a 911 call, please visit Sorenson's website: www.sorenson.com/disclaimer. For information on toll-free numbering, please visit www.svrs.com/tollfree.