Comments on: SLA, VLI, and GoAmerica Merging

By: m

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:38:28 +0000

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.

By: Marylander

Marylander — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:12:08 +0000

So, is GoAmerica giving out free videophones? I have Sorenson and OJO and (Harrison is broken).

By: JS

JS — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:50:12 +0000

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.

By: What about ASLTA?!

What about ASLTA?! — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:55:00 +0000

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.

By: dog food

dog food — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:00:33 +0000

amazing how goamerica keeps merging with everything.

By: VLI version

VLI version — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:17:07 +0000

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.

By: Richard Roehm

Richard Roehm — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:41:01 +0000

Wow! Should have bought Goamerica shares when they were like 45 cents each.