If your business works with Deaf or hard-of-hearing clients, patients, or employees, you already know that providing a qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter isn’t just good practice — it’s often a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But once that need comes up, a new question follows quickly: should you book an interpreter to come on-site, or use video remote interpreting (VRI)?
There’s no single right answer. The best choice depends on the setting, the stakes of the conversation, and how quickly you need support. Here’s how to think it through.
What Is Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)?
VRI connects you with a live, certified interpreter through a video call, usually within minutes. It’s ideal for:
- Short, low-complexity interactions (front-desk check-ins, quick phone-style conversations)
- Situations where an in-person interpreter isn’t available fast enough
- Businesses in areas with a limited pool of local interpreters — including many mid-sized markets outside major hubs like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco
- Predictable, budget-friendly scheduling for recurring short appointments
The tradeoff: VRI depends entirely on a stable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space. In a noisy waiting room or a poor-signal area, quality can suffer fast.
When On-Site Interpreting Is the Better Call
On-site interpreters are usually the right choice for:
- Medical appointments involving diagnoses, procedures, or sensitive health information
- Legal proceedings, depositions, or law enforcement interactions
- IEP meetings, therapy sessions, or other emotionally nuanced conversations
- Group settings, conferences, or trainings where the interpreter needs to read body language and spatial cues from multiple people at once
- Any situation where technology could fail at a critical moment
In-person interpreters can also pick up on non-verbal context — tone, spatial referencing, group dynamics — that a screen sometimes flattens out. For businesses in cities like Anaheim, Long Beach, Sacramento, Las Vegas, New York, or Washington D.C., we typically recommend on-site support for anything with legal, medical, or high-stakes implications. This is also where working with a certified interpreter matters most — see our breakdown of certified vs. non-certified interpreters for more on why credentials matter in these settings.
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) publishes standards and best-practice guidance that many agencies, including ours, use to match interpreters to the right setting.
A Quick Comparison
| Factor | VRI | On-Site |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Minutes | Requires scheduling |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Best for | Short, routine interactions | Complex, sensitive, or group settings |
| Tech dependency | High | None |
| Non-verbal nuance | Limited | Full |
Our Recommendation
Many of the businesses we work with use a hybrid approach: VRI for everyday, low-risk interactions, and scheduled on-site interpreters for anything medical, legal, or high-stakes. That combination keeps you compliant without overspending on interpreters for situations that don’t need them. Once you land on the right setup, our tips for working effectively with an interpreter can help your team get the most out of every session.
Not sure which setup fits your business? Reach out to our team and we’ll help you figure out the right mix of VRI and on-site ASL interpreting for your specific needs — whether you’re based in Los Angeles, Sacramento, or anywhere else we serve.