The Deaf Community (Deaf, Deaf/blind, Hard of Hearing, CODA, Parents, Interpreters, Teachers, and Friends) object to the use of the Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in the State of Michigan.

The VRI is an inferior device with some improperly certified interpreters and should not be permitted in a medical and academic setting. Throughout Deaf History the hospitals, doctors, and school districts have not been concern about the needs and safety of the Deaf Community. Their budget has more value than providing effective communication to the Deaf Community.

This is not about the Deaf Community having the right to choose but protecting our lives and preventing injuries. The right to choose will come when there is a device of sophisticate quality that offers effective communication. That means the patients, doctors, and interpreters are all in communication regardless of the patient's position on the bed even with doctors standing over them and moving them around. If anything else was life threatening the State and Federal government would be there in a heartbeat and shut it down. The VRI is life threatening because of ineffective communication so would the government shut it down or does money speak louder than lives? The VRI rules will not be able to prevent injuries nor protect the lives of the Deaf Community.

The State of Michigan will not be able to enforce the "Deaf Interpreters Act" on the interpreters of VRI agencies out of Michigan's jurisdiction. It will lead to inferior interpreting service in the Medical and Academic setting. The numberous loopholes will become a challenge to close.

The Deaf Community wants the "Deaf Interpreters Act" Pa 393.5055, VRI Rules revised to:

The VRI shall be banned in the State of Michigan.

The Deaf Community needs to be consulted to review and approve any future device of sophisticate quality that offers effective communication.

We, the people of the Michigan Deaf Community agree: