VRS stands for Video Relay Service, which is a type of telecommunication service that allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have speech disabilities to communicate by telephone in a manner that is functionally equivalent to telephone services used by persons without such disabilities. VRS is different from some of the other forms of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) in two important ways: the conversation between the VRS user and the interpreter is made through a video link and sign language, rather than typed text; and the service relies on the Internet, rather than the telephone system, for the connection between the VRS user and the interpreter.

To use VRS, a person with a hearing or speech disability contacts a VRS provider certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) using a television or a computer with a video camera device and a broadband (high speed) Internet connection. The VRS provider assigns a local 10-digit phone number and password to the subscriber, which they use to log into a videophone or video relay app from the VRS provider. A qualified interpreter then communicates with the VRS user in sign language through a video link.

VRS is a no-cost, subscriber-based service for people with a qualifying hearing loss who use American Sign Language (ASL) and have videophones, smartphones, tablets, or computers that are set up for video communication. VRS providers must answer 80 percent of all VRS calls within 120 seconds and provide VRS users with a ten-digit number, so they are able to make 911 calls and have their location information routed to the appropriate emergency service professionals.

It is important to note that VRS is not the same as Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), which is an interpreting service for situations when VRS or in-person interpreting isn’t available.