Two friends are walking by Mozzeria one evening.

Friend 1: Wait... I think we just passed Mozzeria.

Friend 2: Let’s step back (looks up towards Mozzeria signage). Yep! That’s Mozzeria. Have you heard about Mozzeria?

Friend 1: Yes, I saw an article about Mozzeria being run by Deaf people. Wow, that's so cool.

Friend 2: Are you hungry? Want to order takeout?

Friend 1: Sure, why not. Oh, wait a minute... how do I call them if they cannot hear the phone ringing?

Friend 2: Yes, I saw my deaf friend use the Video Relay Service (VRS) several times and it’s really cool.

Friend 1: Tell me how this works?

Friend 2: When you call Mozzeria, they have a videophone set up in the restaurant. When they get an alert through the phone flasher, or receive text on their mobile phone, they answer the videophone call. They would see an American Sign Language interpreter on the screen announcing the incoming call, and the video interpreter would interpret the conversation between the hearing person and the sign language user.

Note: "Hearing" is the ASL term for those who are not Deaf- credit to Anna Mindess.

Friend 1: That's awesome. Let's call Mozzeria now and order food!

ZVRS Makes It All Happen
Mozzeria expresses deep gratitude to ZVRS, the video relay service for providing an essential link that overcomes communication barriers between hearing customers and the Mozzeria staff, and providing Mozzeria with optimal communication solution products.

It all started in 1995 when the video relay service concept was first tried out in the garage of Hanwave in Austin, Texas. Hanwave and Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), a large non-profit agency based in South Dakota, then merged and the CSD team brought the idea to reality and launched the first nationwide Video Relay Service (VRS).

My husband, Russ was part of the team who started VRS at CSD. I am proud of his role in the groundbreaking efforts they played. The VRS field has blossomed since then and VRS now plays an enormous role in the lives of deaf consumers as VRS allows them to be productive and pursue employment in any field. Since the spin-off from CSD (do not confuse CSD with the California School for the Deaf), ZVRS celebrates, this month, its fifth year as an independent entity. I want to wish ZVRS a Happy 5th Anniversary and many more! Thank you, ZVRS!