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Communications leader continues advocacy for linguistic parity for all people in all settings

SALT LAKE CITY – (July 12, 2023) – Sorenson, the leading language services provider of accessible communication services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people, today announced it has been recognized as a top-scoring company on the 2023 Disability Equality Index^®, earning an impressive score of 90. DEI is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and Am Law 2001 to measure disability workplace inclusion against competitors.

“We are honored to be recognized as a top-scoring company on the Disability Equality Index,” said Jorge Rodriguez, CEO of Sorenson. “This recognition is a testament to the culture of belonging that exists at Sorenson. Our core mission involves creating a more accessible and linguistically equitable world. So, naturally, this must be reflected in our workplace where every person has equal opportunity to thrive.”

The Disability Equality Index evaluates companies on a variety of factors, including employment, accessibility, community engagement, and support services, and Sorenson was recognized for its strength in these areas. More specifically, Sorenson has a long history of hiring people with varied abilities and offers a variety of accommodations and support services to ensure that all employees can participate fully in the workplace.

Globally, people with disabilities represent over one billion people, according to the DEI. Disability crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion.

“We are proud to be a part of the Disability Equality Index program,” said Kenya McPheeters, Director of Workplace Inclusion and Impact at Sorenson. “The index is an important tool for companies that are committed to creating inclusive workplaces, and we are committed to continuing our work to create a workplace where all employees of all abilities can succeed.”

View announcement in ASL

About the Disability Equality Index

The Disability Equality Index is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”.

The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the Disability Equality Index Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

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Available in Spanish

New subscription service delivers on-demand video communication options to advance accessibility and inclusion

SALT LAKE CITY – (May 18, 2023) Today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Sorenson, the worldwide leader in inclusive language services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, announced the availability of Sorenson Express for public and private enterprises. The subscription service enables businesses to provide customers and employees with a consistent and frictionless experience anywhere and anytime.

Sorenson Express operates on iOS® and Android® devices.  With one click, an enterprise user can request an interpreter (either ASL-to-English or ASL-to-Spanish), who appears on the screen within moments. Qualified interpreters relay signed and spoken conversations, facilitating a natural and personal experience for Deaf and hearing users.

“Sorenson is critically focused on making a meaningful impact in the lives of our diverse employees, customers, and communities through accessible products and services,” said Jorge Rodriguez, President and CEO of Sorenson, which across all business lines processes more than 140 million conversations annually. “Sorenson Express is a powerful tool that helps businesses advance accessibility and inclusion. We’ve been a leader in on-demand video interpreting services for 20 years, and Sorenson Express represents an expansion of that leadership to the enterprise.”

For retail, hospitality, financial services, healthcare, and other customer-facing businesses, Sorenson Express can create compelling experiences and provide high-quality service to all patrons to drive equity of care. In a retail setting, for example, Deaf shoppers can have on-demand access to experienced ASL interpreters as soon as they enter a store, allowing them to ask questions and engage with store personnel. Staff, meanwhile, can use the app to help Deaf customers find products, inquire about needs and preferences, recommend new offerings, and engage on a personal level.

“The quality of the customer experience has a huge impact on the reputation of any business, and in many cases is the key to its success or failure,” said Rodriguez. “Businesses invest significant time, resources, and training to prepare customer-facing staff to effectively engage and communicate with buyers. Sorensen Express ensures every person who engages with a business receives the same welcoming, helpful service.  By demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and accessibility, moreover, companies can boost their brand, as well as their talent acquisition and retention strategies.”

In the workplace, Sorenson Express supports seamless interaction and communication between Deaf and hearing colleagues. Rather than having to schedule an interpreter several hours in advance, a Deaf employee can join impromptu meetings, contribute when urgent matters arise, or simply chat with colleagues.

“In today’s dynamic and competitive environment, businesses need creative, multi-dimensional approaches to problem-solving,” said Rodriguez. “By streamlining collaboration – and communication –  between all workers, Sorenson Express will help businesses leverage the full extent of their workforces’ perspectives, experiences, and talents.”

Sorenson Express is now available to enterprises within the United States. Visit Sorenson Express to learn more.

View announcement in ASL

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

Available in Spanish

SALT LAKE CITY – (May 3, 2023) – Today, American Business Awards® announced Sorenson, the leading language services provider of accessible communication services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people, has been named the 2023 Silver Stevie® Award winner in the Brand Experience of the Year category.

The American Business Awards are the United States’ premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

Sorenson was recognized for its rigorous brand refresh which set a new industry standard for inclusivity in 2022. The average rebrand usually requires 12 to 18 months, and includes countless hours of market research, concept art, brand identity designs, product redesigns, community polling, and education.

“Under new leadership, our agile and talented marketing team rose to the challenge and mobilized within a tight six-week timeframe to research, develop, and launch our bold new brand,” said Camila Casale, Chief Marketing Officer of Sorenson. “We were thrilled to unveil the refreshed brand identity at Clin d’Oeil, the world’s largest celebration of sign language, held in Reims, France. The accomplishment is a testament to the dedication, passion, and resilience of our team, as well as our commitment to empowering and connecting the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities on a global scale.”

More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

“Totally Impressed!” one of the anonymous judges commented. “Six weeks to fully evaluate, plan and launch a brand refresh is not something I have seen done successfully until now.”

This year, more than 3,700 Stevie Award nominations were submitted for consideration in a wide range of categories. For more than two decades, the Stevies have recognized excellence in business and are widely considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

Last year, Sorenson was acquired by majority owner Ariel Alternatives, the first company in Ariel’s “Project Black” private equity fund. With new vision, one of the top priorities for global expansion was to develop a brand that was more representative of the new Sorenson, one that would be easily recognized as an industry leader in inclusion and accessibility.

Globally, there are 7.75 billion people who use more than 7,500 languages. Each person with each language is hardwired to connect with others through communication. As a global leader in language services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, Sorenson is the connective layer that created an infinite and beautiful tapestry of connections. And while Sorenson provided an accessible platform to communicate ideas and emotions beyond words, the company needed a new brand that underpinned that core principle: Connection.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by American Business Awards for our brand refresh, a direct reflection of our vision and the global need for human connection,” said Jorge Rodriguez, CEO of Sorenson. “Through our rebranding efforts, we’ve aimed to create a visual identity that resonates with our audience, showcases the importance of accessible communication, and inspires positive change within the industry. This prestigious acknowledgement not only validates our efforts but also fuels our determination to continue advancing our mission, fostering stronger relationships, and enhancing the lives of those we serve.”

Sorenson’s commitment to innovation in communication technology has been a driving force since its inception twenty years ago. This week, Olelo by Sorenson was named a 2023 Gold Stevie® Award winner in this year’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Solution category.

“It is very gratifying for us to be able to recognize the achievements of such a wide variety of organizations, teams, and individuals in the 21st ABAs, and we look forward to bringing them together in New York on June 13 to celebrate with them,” said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards.

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

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SALT LAKE CITY – (May 1, 2023) – Today, Sorenson was recognized as a gold award recipient in the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards competition, in the marketing category of “Branding refresh” for their rigorous six-week rebrand that set a new industry standard for inclusivity. Sorenson was honored for outstanding work while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals. With some 6,500 entries this year, Sorenson’s award is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence.

“It’s truly rewarding to see our passion for human connection recognized in the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards,” said Sorenson Chief Marketing Officer Camila Casale. “Our team is dedicated to crafting compelling and impactful content that not only showcases our accessible communication solutions but also tells the inspiring stories of the individuals and communities we serve. This esteemed recognition motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and elevating our creative strategies to foster deeper connections and drive positive change.”

For two decades, Sorenson has been the leader in delivering accessible communications, technology, and services to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in the U.S. and, more recently, in the United Kingdom. Sorenson has revolutionized the way people who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing communicate with Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services, video remote American and British Sign Language interpreting, and in-person Sign Language interpreting. Sorenson’s commitment to providing accessible communication services has expanded to include diverse communities around the world, and they now process over 140 million conversations annually.

The Hermes Creative Awards are administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), which consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital media production, and freelance professionals. The AMCP mission supports creative professionals who contribute unique talents to public service and charitable organizations like Sorenson.

“Our brand idea is the driving force behind our new visual communication approach,” explained Casale. “Sorenson is the connective layer that creates an infinite tapestry of connections worldwide, providing a platform to communicate ideas and emotions beyond words. Our logo, inspired by that connective tapestry, is a symbol of our commitment to connection and communication.”

Judges for the Hermes Creative Awards are experienced industry professionals who seek to recognize companies like Sorenson that surpass a high standard of excellence and serve as a benchmark for the industry.

Sorenson is honored to be among this year’s gold award recipients and remains dedicated to providing exceptional communication services and products that enable seamless communication for people who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and who sign and speak different languages.

View announcement in ASL

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

Available in Spanish

SALT LAKE CITY – (April 19, 2023) –This week, the TITAN Business Awards, hosted by International Awards Associate (IAA) named Sorenson CEO Jorge Rodriguez Transformation Leader of the Year and Sorenson Chief Marketing Officer Camila Casale Chief Marketing Officer of the Year. Both executives were Platinum Winners in their respective categories for their individual efforts to expand Sorenson’s accessible and inclusive language services while continuing to be the leading provider of communication services to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

The IAA’s TITAN Business Awards are an annual awards program that recognizes outstanding businesses and professionals worldwide. The awards cover a range of categories, including business and corporate communications, marketing, public relations, human resources, and customer service, among others. The TITAN Business Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts — such as Surabhi Shastri (Instagram / Meta), Oliver Dietrich (Mission Mittelstand), and Sudha Ranganathan (LinkedIn) — who evaluated nominees based on their performance and achievements. 

“We wish to congratulate the winners and commend them for the stellar works they submitted,” Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA, remarked. “We are proud to be a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their works and to honor their excellence in business with recognition.” 

Jorge Rodriguez’s Transformation Leader of the Year recognition by the TITAN Business Awards is a testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication to driving transformational change at Sorenson. As CEO, his commitment to empowering individuals and change leadership style has been key to Sorenson’s continued success. 

In January 2022, when Rodriguez joined Sorenson, the company’s leadership roles were — and traditionally had been — held by white men. Sorenson’s new majority owners, Ariel Alternatives, LLC, sought to emphasize broader representation and inclusion, and Rodriguez was the driving force for that change. Sorenson is more adaptable, flexible, and agile, able to respond to a rapidly evolving competitive landscape. 

“This award recognizes Sorenson’s ongoing commitment to breaking down communication barriers and connecting people,” said Rodriguez, in response to his Titan Business Award in the Executives & Professionals of the Year category. “At Sorenson, we strive to transform the way people communicate, and this recognition is a testament to the incredible work our team has accomplished. We will continue to innovate to drive transformational change, making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.” 

Casale’s recognition of Chief Marketing Officer of the Year in the category of Marketing acknowledges her passion for innovative communication and marketing solutions with metric-driven growth. In 2022, Casale led a rigorous six-week brand refresh that set a new industry standard for inclusivity. 

“This recognition reflects Sorenson’s commitment to delivering innovative communication solutions for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people,” said Casale, “I’m proud to be a part of such a dedicated team and will continue to break down communication barriers to empower individuals.”

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

Available in Spanish

SALT LAKE CITY – (March 29, 2023) – Sorenson, the leading language services provider of inclusive communication services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people, has been named to Fortune’s prestigious list of America’s Most Innovative Companies. The announcement, made on the multinational business magazine’s website, http://Fortune.com , is presented by Fortune and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award recognizes Sorenson’s innovative activity across three pillars: product innovation, process innovation, and innovation culture. Each pillar was equally weighted and factored into Sorenson’s total score. 

“We are honored to be recognized alongside some of the most innovative companies in the world,” said Jorge Rodriguez, CEO of Sorenson, which across all service lines connects more than 140 million conversations annually – in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and United Kingdom. “This recognition is a testament to our culture of innovation where we forge new ideas and think about fresh ways to implement processes and technology. We are committed to innovation in all aspects of our business, from the accessible products and services we offer to the ways we deliver them.”

The award was based on a holistic view of Sorenson’s innovative activity and the following three pillars:

1. Product innovation: Focused on innovations in R&D, production, sales, and marketing, in the development, the manufacturing and marketing of new products and the diversification of products.
2. Process innovation: Considers process innovations in production / operations, strategy, planning, controlling and quality assurance.
3. Innovation culture: Primarily includes the introduction of a corporate culture that promotes creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the creation of scope for innovation to improve employee motivation and increase job satisfaction.

In each of these three areas, Sorenson received a score which was included equally in the final score. 

This award follows a series of other prestigious accolades for Sorenson, including being named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers and Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies. Sorenson has also been recognized for its commitment to a culture of belonging, inclusion, and exceptional candidate experience.  Additionally, last week, Olelo by Sorenson was recognized by Business Intelligence Group with the Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award.

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]

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Available in Spanish

SALT LAKE CITY – (March 28, 2023) Today, Sign Language Interactions (SLi) Limited, a  Sorenson company in the United Kingdom, announced it is launching in England and Wales under Sorenson Interpreting, and later this year in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which will facilitate its mission to support human connections through in-person and video interpreting. The launch under the Sorenson brand marks two decades that SLi, SignVideo, and Sorenson have served the interpreting needs of Deaf and hearing people in the U.K. – with a combined 60 years of interpreting experience. In addition to service expansion, the company will continue to provide Video Relay Service (VRS) and community interpreting across the U.K.

“Our mission-driven values of accessibility and impact that the Sorenson brand represents inspire us to deliver crucial language services to all customers everywhere, including England and Wales,” said Jorge Rodriguez, CEO of Sorenson, the leading provider of British Sign Language (BSL) services in the United Kingdom and the leading provider of language services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing communities in the United States. “This commitment infuses the entire Sorenson organization. We are thrilled to now offer our services in the U.K. under the Sorenson brand. Together, we will continue to remove language barriers.”

In November, SLi announced its transition to the Sorenson brand, which was refreshed last summer to reflect the global need for human connection and the network of communication services the company offers. SignVideo will now operate as SignVideo by Sorenson.

“Our brand refresh journey has been exciting, rigorous, and thorough. We have met with many teams, researched our customers and our products, and carved out the identity of our company,” said Sorenson CMO Camila Casale. “What we have created is a stunning visual brand that will take Sorenson to the next level. We are ready to promote our bold new brand  in the U.K. and to the rest of the world as we Connect Beyond Words.”

Prior to the Sorenson rebrand and during the previous twenty years, SLi and SignVideo helped pioneer the development and delivery of instant British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) video interpreting across the U.K. and provided face-to-face interpreting in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their combined advocacy advanced BSL/English interpreting and led to even greater standards of service delivery and access to communication between Deaf and hearing people. This same dedication remains intact now with the transition to the Sorenson name.

Sorenson Interpreting can be booked through the new Sorenson U.K. website with bookings beginning April 3, 2023, at www.sorenson.co.uk

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Sorenson press contacts

U.K.

Semhar Beyene
Director of Marketing
Sorenson U.K.
(044) 3333-447-712 
[email protected]

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson improves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more, visit sorenson.com.

Sorenson press contacts

U.S.

Nathaniel Free
Senior Manager of PR & Brand
Sorenson
+1 (801) 287-9400
[email protected]