ROCKLIN, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. (HOVRS) today announced that the company is sponsoring two Deaf athletes at the 2007 Deaflympic Winter Games, beginning last week.

The two athletes, Darrick De La O and Keith Doane will be representing HOVRS at the Deaflympics which take place February 1-10, 2007 in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah. It is anticipated that over 4,000 people will be attending this international event.

Darrick De La O is originally from Huntington Beach, California. Darrick graduated from the California School for the Deaf, Riverside. At the 1999 Winter Deaf Games, Darrick won the gold medal for snowboarding in the half-pipe competition.

Keith Doane, who was born and raised in Minnesota, will be participating in the alpine skiing events. Keith attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, and graduated in 2004. He is currently a Gallaudet University student and in his third year, doubling majors in both Education/History and Deaf Studies.

To learn more about Darrick and Keith, go to: http://www.hovrs.com/news/200701b/index.html .

"HOVRS is extremely proud to sponsor two talented Deaf athletes at the Winter Deaflympics 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is our pleasure to assist these two unique individuals in achieving their goals and dreams of competing in this international sporting event," said Ronald E. Obray, CEO and founder of HOVRS. "HOVRS takes great pride in partnering with the Deaflympics and is pleased to be associated with an event of this global magnitude."

The Deaflympics, which is under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, began in Paris in 1924 and is the second-oldest multi-sport and cultural event in the world. The deaf and hard-of-hearing have their own international sports competition because they are able-bodied under Olympic rules and cannot participate in the Paralympics. At the same time, communication barriers like sound-based starting devices and verbal officiating keep many deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes from participating in the Olympics. In the Deaflympics, rules and procedures are similar to those in Olympic competitions except flashing lights and hand signals or flags are used instead of starting guns or whistles.

The official Deaflympic torch arrived on Feb. 1, 2007 and will re-light the flame at Salt Lake City's 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park, setting the stage for 10 days of competition, cultural events, and efforts to build a legacy for future Deaflympians. Some of the venues for the 16th Deaflympic Winter Games are the same facilities used for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Events will include five individual and team events: alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, ice hockey and curling. Snowboarding and alpine skiing will take place at Park City Mountain Resort and Nordic skiing will be at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center.

HOVRS traditionally sponsors Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes and teams in a wide array of sports throughout the year and is proud to be afflicted with the 2007 Deaflympics Winter Games.

How VRS Works

Video Relay Service (VRS) allows a person who uses sign language to place a relay call to a hearing person by communicating through a certified sign language interpreter. VRS requires the use of a high-speed Internet connection and a video camera to place a call. A VRS call may be initiated by a person who uses sign language or by a hearing person to a sign language user. The interpreter will relay the conversation between the two parties. Hands On also provides a Video Relay Service to Spanish speaking customers. It is also the only provider to offer text messaging on PC, Macintosh and videophones while on a video relay call.

About Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc.

Based in Rocklin, California, HOVRS is a recognized leader in Video Relay Services throughout the country. The company has experienced over 50% growth in the last year. It is the only provider to provide video relay services on Macintosh, PC and videophones. The company has been serving the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community since 1992 when it first established Hands On Sign Language Services, Inc., a community based sign language services agency. The company is committed to removing communication barriers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals while providing quality services they can rely on. Hands On is a linguistically diverse company that employs both Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing employees. For more information, visit our website at http://www.hovrs.com/ .

CONTACT: Amy Bonetti of Big Mouth Communications, +1-415-384-0900, or
amy@bigmouthpr.com, for Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc.

Web site: http://www.hovrs.com/