Video remote interpreting: convenient and cost effective

By:  Lori T. Williams, Owner/Managing Attorney of Your Legal Resource, PLLC

A few years ago I interviewed Rita Denha about a new video remote interpretation technology her company began utilizing to provide interpretation and translation services more conveniently and cost effectively.

Rita Denha has owned and operated Executive Language Services, Inc. since 1980, and has over 1000 interpreters on call and available to interpret and translate over 200 languages and dialects for their clients. ELS assists law firms, district courts, hospitals, medical facilities, Government/Military, automotive industry, and corporations by providing interpretation and translation services.

“Over the last 32 years, the demand for interpreters and translators has grown significantly.  Now that we are a global economy, the need seems even greater,” says Denha.

Being able to speak the language is not enough to break the language barrier, according to Denha. “Having a seasoned and experienced interpreter makes a big difference when every word counts.  Making sure your intended statements make it across the language barrier accurately and efficiently every time is crucial in legal communications.”

ELS pre-screens, trains, and certifies their interpreters to ensure their quality and accuracy, and provides ongoing training to keep them up to date on the latest technical terms.

 

To stay ahead of the competition and to meet a growing need, ELS incorporated remote video intepreting services into their business model.

“One of the challenges we faced is the rising costs of travel.  With gas prices being so high, and the global push for a greener earth, we felt this new technology was a key factor to the continued growth of our business.  We are proud to be one of the first companies in Michigan to offer Video Remote Interpreting.”

ELS uses a platform known as VIDYO which is a technology designed for use in hospital facilities and which meets HIPPA compliance requirements.  It has application in other arenas too such as legal and corporate.

Benefits of Video Remote Interpreting, include:

  • Access to certified and trained interpreters in multiple languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through a call center
  • Sign language communication and interpretation is also available through the video remote service
  • Clear, real time, communication is instantly available without the need to travel or be face to face
  • Audio and video encryption provides security and authentication
  • Ease of use when an interpreter is needed for people who are disabled, injured, or hospitalized

 

“The industry standard for face to face interpreting is to charge a 2 hour minimum.  We don’t need to do that for video remote interpreting, so it can be a very cost effective option when interpreters are needed for less than 2 hours,” says Denha.

Lori T. Williams

Lori T. Williams is an attorney based in Birmingham, MI, licensed in 1989.  As owner of a legal referral business called Your Legal Resource, PLLC, Lori personally assists individuals and small businesses in need of legal advice or representation in Metro Detroit by connecting them with the right legal specialist to meet their needs.