Following innovations in video technology, signed language interpreters began working in a new communication environment known as video relay services (VRS), which relies on equipment (e.g. cameras, monitors, computers) to provide telecommunication access to the Deaf community in the United States. American Sign Language-English interpreters who work in the VRS industry are governed by rules and regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission and corporate VRS providers.

In this presentation, "Interpretation Colloquium Series Lecture," Erica Alley and Annie Marks present findings from their research studies investigating interpreting in VRS settings through two different research lenses. Alley presents initial findings from her dissertation study using grounded theory to examine interpreters' use of professional autonomy in VRS. Marks works within a sociolinguistic framework and uses discourse analysis to examine interpreter footing shifts in video relay calls from data collected in a VRS simulation center. Both studies aim to contribute to the understanding of interpreters' daily practices in VRS.