Via a leak, I just got this announcement from Janet Bailey, president of Sign Language Associates (SLA):
Interpreters:
I am writing to formally announce that SLA, VLI and GoAmerica have merged into one new full service company. You may remember that in January of this year, GoAmerica acquired Verizon’s text and video relay products (under the IP-Relay brand) and then merged with Hands On VRS. Now, as one larger company, our combined years of experience, our technical expertise and our strong relationships within the community position us to become #1 in community interpreting, #1 in text relay, and #2 in video relay.
Clearly, in the past few years, the way interpreting services are provided has changed in significant ways. Deaf consumers face increased difficulty in getting interpreters for face-to-face communication needs; some communities throughout the country cannot locate local interpreters at all. By coming together, we believe that we can improve support for interpreters and services for Deaf communities; as GoAmerica we can best position ourselves to respond to the changing landscape in the interpreting field.
With this merger, we combine pioneering leadership, top-notch quality, and technical capability. SLA and VLI provide expertise in community interpreting that will allow GoAmerica to strike a balance between VRS and community interpreting. SLA and VLI managers have already begun working with GoAmerica managers and interpreters to improve working conditions for interpreters by offering an array of interpreting settings they can work in. GoAmerica’s technical expertise allows SLA and VLI to develop nascent programs in remote video interpreting and CART services to meet the ever growing demands for communication access.
Finally, most relevant to developing interpreters and students, we will continue to establish programs for interpreter’s skill and career development across the gamut of our work. Mentorship programs, coaching and certification readiness, ASL/Spanish language combinations, specialty interpreting proficiencies; these are all areas of endeavor that the combined capabilities of this new company allow us to further develop. The talent and energy of all of the good people who will now work together will mean GoAmerica becomes the premiere company for interpreters across the country. In that way, and through the company’s array of other products and services, we believe that we will be the first choice of Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers for all their communication needs.
You will hear more from us in coming weeks about exciting product and service developments. Interpreters will see enhanced employment options as we develop our organization to take advantage of the best of all three organizations. Please contact us if you have questions or if you’re interested in becoming part of our exciting team!
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Wow! Should have bought Goamerica shares when they were like 45 cents each.
I heard about the merger yesterday. Then I got to work and had this email from VLI in my inbox:
Good morning,
I am writing to share the exciting news that VLI has just finalized an agreement to merge with GoAmerica. It is important to note that Sign Language Associates (SLA) has also finalized an agreement to merge with GoAmerica.
As you may, or may not, be aware, GoAmerica acquired Verizon’s text and video relay products and merged with HandsOn VRS in January of this year. This, in combination with the coming together with VLI and SLA, position the new GoAmerica as the leading provider of onsite sign language interpreting services in the nation.
As you are likely aware, the marketplace for sign language interpreting and CART services has dramatically changed over the past couple of years. As a company that is committed to the delivery of quality-centered communication access services, we take seriously the responsibility to position ourselves in such a way that we can continue to provide our customers with the level of service they have come to expect from us.
To that end, we have merged with GoAmerica in order to expand our current capacities to serve you and to enhance our offering to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The combination of these three companies enables us to provide you with a complete compliment of service options from any one of our 22 communication centers nationally. These options include onsite and remote interpreting, onsite and remote CART services, and Video Relay and Internet Relay services. It is our hope that you will find value in the convenience of our nationwide network and the ability to locate all of these services with one contact.
In the short-term, we will continue to provide you services under the VLI brand. Please note at this time there is no change to our contact information or account representatives, payment information or terms, or regularly scheduled personnel.
We will communicate regularly and in advance of any action that may be necessary on your part as we transition through the integration process.
We value our working relationship with you and thank you for your business. We look forward to a long and exciting future. I welcome an opportunity to speak with you should you have any questions.
amazing how goamerica keeps merging with everything.
They’re always talking about giving back to the interpreting programs and new interpreters and mentorship programs…what about national and local ASLTA chapters and the deaf teachers that develop new Interpreters? Its way overdue that they get their support and funding from VRS companies.
It seems that Washington is fast becoming a one company town for interpreters. A monopoly, in the long run, is not good for deaf needs, I think.
So, is GoAmerica giving out free videophones? I have Sorenson and OJO and (Harrison is broken).
I wish I knew specifically how they are supporting community interpreting. All of our local freelance interpreters are now working for VRS (happens to be HoVRS/GoAmerica) and there is a shortage in the community. I don’t know how it would be a lucrative business model for them, but I honestly wish they had their VRS interpreters do between 10-20% of their time community interpreting–would be better than NOTHING which we now have and would be giving back to the community.