About CAV and
Canada VRS
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A Message from our CEO & Executive Director
Sue Decker – CEO and Executive Director
I’ve been working in the telecommunications industry and particularly the Video Relay Service (VRS) field since its inception, and have realized that VRS is much more than just a communications tool… it is a tool for empowerment and social equality. The availability of Canada VRS – the country’s first national VRS – enables life-changing opportunities, especially in the areas of employment, education, health care and social connectedness. It benefits not just those in the Deaf community who use it, but all Canadians because it’s a step towards greater equality.
I am so thankful to all of you who advocated for VRS, and I am truly honoured to be part of the team that designed, launched and oversees this service. We are proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited about the new places Canada VRS will take us.
Sue Decker – CEO and Executive Director
About CAV
The Canadian Administrator of Video Relay Service (CAV), Inc., or CAV, is a not-for-profit telecommunications services company with a mandate from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to design, implement and oversee the delivery of Video Relay Service (VRS) in Canada.
Canada VRS enables Deaf, Hard of Hearing or speech-impaired Canadians who use American Sign Language (ASL) and Langues des signes Québécoise (LSQ) to make telephone calls via Internet-based videoconferencing technology.
CAV and its Board of Directors are responsible for Canada’s national VRS, Canada VRS which was launched September 28, 2016, and is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
CAV's Vision
Empower Deaf Canadians.
CAV's Mission
Provide VRS for Canadians who use ASL and LSQ; enabling connections to people and increasing opportunities.
Canada VRS Theme
Access is Opportunity.
Canada VRS is the name of the service that CAV is responsible for.
Deaf, Hard of Hearing or speech-impaired Canadians who use sign language can download and register for a free Canada VRS app for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac computers with Safari and Waterfox web browsers.
Once registered they are given a VRS number which they use to make and receive calls. The app connects Canada VRS users to a sign language interpreter who relays the call in real time, in ASL and LSQ.
CAV Board of Directors
Top Row (L-R):
Sue Decker – Executive Director
David Joseph – DHH LSQ Director and Board Chair
Eric Edora – TSP Director
Ruth Altman – TSP Director
Middle Row (L-R):
Dr. Jessica Dunkley – DHH ASL Director
Tony D’Onofrio – Independent Director
Anne Missud – LSQ Interpreter Permanent Invitee
Mark Kusiak – DHH ASL /LSQ Director
Bottom Row (L-R):
Carla Dupras – ASL Interpreter Permanent Invitee
Dr. Gary Birch – Independent Director
To see the bio for each director, click on their name.
Learn how registered stakeholder organizations influence CAV's Board of Directors, consisting of (7) Directors and (2) Permanent Invitees.
Learn more about Registered Stakeholders
Staff
Top Row: Sue Decker, Executive Director; Jonathan Masters, Acting CFO/COO
2nd Row: Paula Bath, Director of Technology & Operations; Suzanne Laforest, Director of Operations for Video Interpreter Providers; David Egan, Service Operations Manager
3rd Row: Carmelle Cachero, Chief of Staff; Jodi Birley, Translation & Video Producer; Wissam Constantin, Community Relations Manager
Bottom Row: Diane Underschultz, Community Relations Assistant Manager; Patrick Lazure, Community Outreach Specialist; Jo-Anne Bryan, Community Outreach Specialist
SRV Canada VRS is powered by partners taking part in the CAV ecosystem.
CAV licenses a stand-alone VRS Technology Platform (VTP) which processes and tracks video calls. CAV also contracts for the services of several “Service Providers”, e.g. Video Interpreter Providers (VIPs) who provide call centres and sign language interpreting (relay) between American Sign Language (ASL) and English, and French and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
CAV’s role is to design, implement and oversee the delivery of video relay service (VRS) in Canada.
IVèS will develop and deliver VRS as well as provide customer service and technical service support.
ASL (American Sign Language) Video Interpreters
Convo is the primary provider of VRS call centres and sign language interpreting (relay) for ASL.
LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) Video Interpreters
Sivet is the primary provider of sign language interpreting (relay) for LSQ.
SLIAO provides additional sign language interpreting (relay) for ASL.
ISEP provides additional sign language interpreting (relay) for LSQ.
CAV’s role is to design, implement and oversee the delivery of video relay service (VRS) in Canada.
IVèS will develop and deliver VRS as well as provide customer service and technical service support.
ASL (American Sign Language) Video Interpreters
Convo is the primary provider of VRS call centres and sign language interpreting (relay) for ASL.
LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) Video Interpreters
Sivet is the primary provider of sign language interpreting (relay) for LSQ.
SLIAO provides additional sign language interpreting (relay) for ASL.
ISEP provides additional sign language interpreting (relay) for LSQ.