Remote Interpreting in Rural School Districts

Report on VRI Pilot in Bennington, VT

An International SymposiumTechnology and Deaf EducationJune 22, 2010

Barbara Keefe, PEPNet NELloyd Scott, Southwest Vermont Supervisory UnionJoyce Gallagher, Sign Language Associates of Western PennsylvaniaLori Hutchison, PEPNet NE

PEPNet, a national network created by the collaboration of four regional centers

Regional CentersRegional Centers

PEPNet’s Mission:

To work with secondary & postsecondary schools, vocational rehabilitation, and

service providers to enhance educational opportunities for individuals who are deaf

or hard of hearing

Federal Mandates

• Technology• Transition• Technical Assistance

• Interpreter is needed in a rural area where one is not available…HELP!

• ~VRI suggested• ~Demonstration provided

PEPNet Request for TA

• Student IEP mandates a very specific support service i.e., interpreting

• VRI potential explored with student, parents, administration, teachers and tech staff

• Next steps

Bennington Prepares …

• History of remote interpreting from Johnstown

• Critical technology support for the pilot

• Monitoring the support

Linking Resource to Need

• Johnstown remote team arrives in Bennington

• Workshop presented

• Questions and concerns of the Vermont professionals

Orientation for Staff

Jim at work in Johnstown, PA

Desktop Access

Classroom Technology

• We learn as we go

• Technology support within the school problematic…changing staff

• Portable equipment

• Sound

Challenges and Solutions

• Next Year…2010-2011

• More students –Different schedules

• Remote Captioning Added

QUESTIONS??????

Contact Information

• Barbara.keefe@pepnet.org• lscott@svsu.org• slswpa@atlanticbb.net• Lori.hutchison@pepnet.org