IM video relay service for the deaf

Now this is pretty cool: A company called Hands On Video Relay Service is offering free service for the deaf that allows them to place telephone calls to hearing individuals, with an operator translating sign language video iChat or AOL IM’s video capability. The deaf person places the call by IMing the “hovrsIM” screen name and providing a phone number. The operator will start a video chat session with the user and place the call to the intended recipient. Of course, the hearing-impaired person needs a Webcam and broadband connection as well as AIM 5.5 or iChat to make it all work.