Video relay service

A telecommunications service that enables deaf and hard-of-hearing sign language users to communicate with hearing people via telephone through a video link with a sign language interpreter. The deaf caller signs to the interpreter via video, and the interpreter speaks to the hearing party by phone and relays their response back in sign language. Video relay services depend on high-quality mobile video transmission, making bandwidth optimization and battery efficiency critical accessibility concerns. In many countries, VRS is mandated and funded as a functional equivalent of voice telephone service for deaf citizens.