Video Calls Policy

Please watch the video “Do’s and Don’t’s with Video Calls” first.

For cooking program:

  1. Prepare all the foods and ingredients before the appointment
  2. Have all the cooking equipment ready
  3. Set up your camera so we can see you prepare and cook foods (laptop or tablet)

During the program you can:

  1. Take photos of your tasks with your phone
  2. Make a visual recipe with the photos you took

Before the appointment:

  1. Make sure your portable device (laptop or tablet) is fully charged or plugged in
  2. Set up your device where the camera can see in a full view of:
  • You
  • Your food preparations
  • Your cooking
  • Without moving the device around often

Make sure there is no bright light directly behind you.

If you are learning to cook, you may have a support person with you. They can help hold the camera for us (the Coach) to see you doing your tasks, and for you to see us.

During the appointment:

  • Do not move the device around often
  • Use your phone or camera to take photos of the tasks
  • Don’t answer calls or texts unless it is an emergency 
  • Keep in focus with your program until it is finished

After the appointment:

  1. Take photos of your dishes presented (only the final ones)
  2. Send to Deaf Chef Ross
  3. Enjoy your meal!

Technology

  • Laptop / Tablet
  • Excellent quality internet connection and speed
  • Mobile phone for taking photos

Software

  • Skype
  • Zoom
  • Google Hangouts
  • FaceTime

Connecting the video call

  1. Be online 5 minutes before each appointment
  2. Test that the equipment and software are ready for the video call
  3. Make the video call to connect 1-2 minutes before the appointment
  4. Once connected, wait for the appointment to begin or when the Coach is ready
  5. If the call was not answered, type in the chat box saying you are ready

During the video call

  • Make sure that your viewing is clear at all times. Check your own view window
  • Focus the camera on you within your neutral space for clear communication
  • Check that the screening is from your head down to your waist for the signing space
  • Camera to be focused on you and the tasks you are doing. The Coach needs to observe everything you are doing
  • Look in the screen sometimes while performing the tasks in case the Coach needs to talk to you
  • The Coach may type notes during the video call

Technical issues

The common issues for video conferencing:

  • freezing movements
  • frozen images
  • blurry images
  • delays
  • drop-offs and disconnections
  • weak reception

The technical issues may be related to the weather conditions, the connection, the software or the equipment we are using.

If you have a basic internet plan, it may improve the video quality if other wireless devices (ie. mobile phones) are switched off during the video call.

If problems happen during a video call:

  1. Wave to the camera to show there is an issue
  2. Use chat box to type the conversations
  3. Disconnect and reconnect the video call

If the problem continues:

  1. Disconnect the video call
  2. Use chat to type the conversation
  3. Check for technical issues first.

Checking for problems:

  1. Check that the modem is working (sending and receiving)
  2. Turn off other wireless devices that are connected to the modem
  3. Reconnect the video call and try again
  4. Use another software if issues continue to be a problem

Cancelling a videoconferencing appointment

If a video call is cancelled due to technical problems, the appointment will have to be rescheduled to the next available time.

We may charge for cancelling a video call.

Get in touch with us

Would you like more information about the programs? Just talk to us!

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