Sorenson Communications - Connecting You Jobs  |  Need Help?  |  Home
Press
Overview
Press Releases
Press Materials
Company Facts
Image and Screen Shots
Awards
In the News
Video Testimonials
Featured Successes
Press  >  Press Releases

Press Releases
   2010    2009    2008    2007

For release: 03-09-2010

2010 Interpreter Education Program Award of Excellence Announced by Sorenson Communications

View in ASLSALT LAKE CITY (March 8, 2010) -Sorenson Communications®, the nation's leading provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use sign language to communicate, today announced that submissions are now being accepted for the 2010 SVRS® Interpreter Education Program (IEP) Award of Excellence. The annual award recognizes IEP training programs that integrate VRS tracks into their curriculum and continually improve their programs in response to the broadening communication needs of the deaf community.

The SVRS IEP Award of Excellence will be presented to an IEP that meets or exceeds specific criteria. The winning program will be awarded $10,000 to be reinvested in curriculum and training materials to strengthen already existing programs. The program will also receive sponsorship for two faculty members to attend the 2010 Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) semi-annual conference where the winning IEP will be announced. The conference will be held in San Antonio, Oct. 27-30. The deadline to apply for the SVRS IEP Award of Excellence is April 14, 2010. Complete instructions can be accessed at www.sorensonvrs.com/IEP.

Sorenson Communications founded the award two years ago in an effort to encourage IEP programs to train increasing numbers of qualified and professional ASL interpreters.

Chris Wakeland, Vice President of Interpreting for Sorenson Communications, notes, "Our goal is to recognize and support IEPs that are effectively preparing interpreting students. As a result of this training, we are closing the school-to-work gap."

Award eligibility criteria have been designed to encourage programs from among the approximate 150 IEPs nationwide. Criteria will apply to the graduating class of 2009, which will be judged in seven categories:
  • VRS tracks offered

  • Supervised practicum opportunities

  • Mentorship opportunities

  • Accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) or an initiative to track accreditation

  • Proposed use of award funds

  • The number of graduates that have either NAD-RID-National Interpreter Certification (NIC) tested or have received state quality assurance screening or certification at an advanced or higher level within six months of graduation

  • The number of graduates gainfully employed in the field of interpreting by Nov. 1, 2009, following graduation

Wakeland adds that with the growing popularity of VRS, the demand for highly-trained interpreters has never been greater. "This award recognizes IEPs that provide extraordinary curriculum, learning and mentoring opportunities for their students."

About Sorenson Communications
Sorenson Communications™ (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications services and products. The company's offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service (Sorenson VRS®), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson (VP-100® and VP-200®) videophones; Sorenson IP Relay™ (SIPRelay), enabling text-to-speech relay communication; and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting™ (VRI), a fee-based remote interpreting service.

» Back
PRIVACY POLICY (updated) | 911 / LEGAL DISCLAIMER (updated) | RELAY USER AGREEMENT (updated)
Copyright © 2010 Sorenson Communications. All rights reserved.