🆘 Help Center

VRI connects you with a certified ASL interpreter via live video. Instead of an in-person interpreter, you connect instantly through your browser or phone.

How it works:

1. Request an interpreter through the platform
2. A certified interpreter accepts your request
3. Secure, encrypted video session begins instantly
4. Interpreter facilitates communication between Deaf/HoH and hearing participants
5. $ASL tokens distributed automatically after session ends

Great for: Doctor appointments, business meetings, customer service, education, job interviews, government services, everyday communication.

americansignlanguage.eth is the first Deaf-owned, Deaf-led, Deaf-founded VRI service. Here's what sets us apart:

• Deaf-owned: Built BY the Deaf community, FOR the Deaf community
• Blockchain-powered: $ASL tokens ensure transparent, fair compensation
• Fair split: 45% to interpreters (industry-leading), 10% back to users as rewards
• No middleman extraction: Unlike corporate VRI providers, our model puts interpreters and users first
• Privacy-first: End-to-end encrypted video, no session recordings by default
• Accessible design: Every feature built with visual-first, Deaf-friendly UX

Browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or Edge — latest version

Device: Computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone

Internet: Minimum 5 Mbps download/upload for HD video quality

MetaMask: Browser extension (desktop) or MetaMask mobile app

Mobile: iOS 14+ or Android 10+ with MetaMask mobile app installed

MetaMask is a free digital wallet that lets you interact with blockchain applications. Think of it like a digital wallet on your phone — but for crypto tokens.

You need MetaMask to:

• Mint (create) your $ASL tokens after VRI sessions
• Receive $ASL rewards for using the platform
• Pay for VRI sessions with $ASL tokens
• Receive interpreter compensation (if you're an interpreter)

MetaMask is free to install. You only pay small "gas fees" (usually less than $0.01 on Base network) when you mint tokens or make transactions.

$ASL tokens run on the Base network (an Ethereum Layer 2 by Coinbase). Gas fees are very low — typically under $0.01 per transaction.

You need a small amount of ETH on Base network to pay transaction (gas) fees. Typical VRI session token minting costs less than $0.01.

Option A — Coinbase (Easiest)

1. Buy ETH on Coinbase
2. Withdraw to your MetaMask address, selecting "Base" as the network
3. ETH arrives in your MetaMask on Base network in minutes

Option B — Bridge from Ethereum

1. If you already have ETH on Ethereum mainnet
2. Go to bridge.base.org
3. Connect MetaMask, enter amount to bridge, confirm
4. ETH moves from Ethereum to Base in ~10 minutes

Both users and interpreters can end a session at any time:

1. Click the red "End Session" button at the bottom of the video screen
2. Confirm you want to end the session
3. The session timer stops and $ASL tokens are calculated
4. Both parties see a session summary with duration and token amounts
5. Click "Mint Tokens" to claim your $ASL rewards

During a VRI session, you have the following controls:

• 🔇 Mute Audio: Toggle your microphone on/off
• 📷 Camera Toggle: Turn your camera on/off
• 💬 Chat: Open the text chat to send typed messages during the session
• 📺 Screen Share: Share your screen (useful for showing documents or presentations)
• ⛶ Fullscreen: Enter/exit fullscreen mode for better video visibility
• 🔴 End Session: End the VRI session

Sessions are billed at 20 $ASL per minute. Tokens are distributed as follows:

• 45% (9 $ASL/min) → Interpreter compensation
• 45% (9 $ASL/min) → Platform operations and development
• 10% (2 $ASL/min) → User reward (you earn tokens back!)

After a session ends, you'll see a summary showing the total duration and tokens. Click "Mint Tokens" to send the tokens to your wallet.

• Lighting: Face a light source. Avoid backlighting (window behind you). The interpreter needs to see your hands and face clearly.
• Camera angle: Position your camera to show from your waist up, including your face and signing space.
• Background: Use a plain, non-distracting background. Solid colors work best.
• Internet: Use a wired connection if possible. Close other bandwidth-heavy applications.
• Browser: Use Chrome for the best WebRTC video quality.
• Patience: If connection is slow, the interpreter will work with you. Use the chat feature as backup if video quality drops.

$ASL is a utility token on the Base blockchain used within the americansignlanguage.eth platform. It powers the VRI economy:

• Session payments: VRI sessions generate $ASL tokens
• Interpreter compensation: Interpreters earn $ASL for their work
• User rewards: Users earn $ASL back for using the platform
• Governance: Future voting on platform decisions (coming soon)

If you don't see $ASL tokens in MetaMask after minting:

1. Open MetaMask and make sure you're on the Base network
2. Scroll down and click "Import tokens"
3. Paste the $ASL token contract address (available on our platform under Settings → Token Info)
4. Token symbol ($ASL) and decimals will auto-fill
5. Click "Add Custom Token" → "Import"
6. Your $ASL balance will now appear in MetaMask

"Gas fees" are small costs for processing transactions on the blockchain. Think of it as a tiny postage fee for sending something on the network.

• On Base network: Gas fees are extremely low, typically $0.001-$0.01 per transaction
• You need ETH on Base: Gas fees are paid in ETH (not $ASL). Even $2 of ETH will last hundreds of transactions.
• Gas fees go to the network: Not to americansignlanguage.eth — they go to Base/Ethereum network validators
• Gas fees are non-refundable: Even if a transaction fails, gas fees are consumed

Try these steps in order:

1. Check browser permissions: Click the lock icon 🔒 in the address bar → Make sure Camera and Microphone are set to "Allow"
2. Check system permissions: On Mac: System Preferences → Privacy → Camera/Microphone → Make sure your browser is checked. On Windows: Settings → Privacy → Camera/Microphone → Allow apps to access
3. Close other apps: Close Zoom, FaceTime, or other apps that might be using your camera
4. Try a different browser: If Chrome isn't working, try Firefox or Edge
5. Restart browser: Close all tabs and restart your browser completely
6. Restart device: If nothing works, restart your computer or phone

1. Check MetaMask is installed: Look for the fox 🦊 icon in your browser toolbar
2. Check you're on Base network: Open MetaMask → Top dropdown should say "Base"
3. Unlock MetaMask: Click the fox icon and enter your password if locked
4. Try disconnecting and reconnecting: In MetaMask → Settings → Connected Sites → Remove our site → Reconnect
5. Disable other wallet extensions: If you have Phantom, Coinbase Wallet, or other wallet extensions, disable them temporarily
6. Clear cache: Try clearing your browser cache and cookies for our site
7. Try incognito mode: Open an incognito/private window and try connecting

• Check internet speed: Go to speedtest.net. You need at least 5 Mbps up/down for HD video
• Use wired connection: Ethernet cable is more stable than Wi-Fi
• Close other tabs/apps: Streaming, downloads, and other video calls consume bandwidth
• Move closer to router: If using Wi-Fi, reduce distance to your router
• Lower video quality: Some browsers let you lower video resolution in settings
• Restart router: Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug back in

1. Check ETH balance: Make sure you have ETH on Base network for gas fees
2. Check network: Confirm MetaMask is on the Base network (Chain ID: 8453)
3. Try again: Go to your session history and click "Mint" again for that session
4. Increase gas: In MetaMask confirmation, try clicking "Edit" to slightly increase gas fee
5. Check Base network status: Visit status.base.org to see if the network is experiencing issues

If you lose connection during a VRI session:

1. The session automatically pauses
2. You have 2 minutes to reconnect before the session ends
3. Refresh the page or navigate back to the session
4. If reconnection succeeds, the session resumes with the same interpreter
5. If reconnection fails after 2 minutes, the session ends automatically
6. You'll only be charged for the time you were connected

• Forgot password: Click "Forgot Password" on the login page to reset via email
• Account locked: After 5 failed login attempts, your account locks for 15 minutes. Wait and try again
• Email not verified: Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the verification email. Click "Resend Verification" on the login page
• Still stuck: Contact support at [email protected]

Applications are typically reviewed within 3-5 business days.

As an interpreter on our platform, you earn 45% of all session tokens — that's 9 $ASL per minute of interpreting. This is the highest interpreter share in the VRI industry.

• $ASL tokens: Minted automatically after each session
• USD via Stripe: Business clients can pay in USD, with payouts via Stripe
• Earnings dashboard: Track all sessions, tokens earned, and payout history
• Tax responsibility: As an independent contractor, you're responsible for reporting income

1. Log in to your interpreter dashboard
2. Go to Settings → Availability
3. Set your available days and hours
4. Toggle "Go Online" when you're ready to accept sessions
5. Toggle "Go Offline" when you need a break or are done for the day

All interpreters must adhere to:

• RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC)
• Confidentiality: Never disclose session content to anyone
• Impartiality: Interpret accurately without personal bias
• Professional appearance: Solid-colored shirt, plain background, good lighting
• Competence: Only accept sessions within your skill level and specialization
• Respect: Treat all parties with dignity and cultural sensitivity
• Reliability: Be online during your scheduled hours, respond promptly to requests

Violations may result in warnings, suspension, or removal from the platform.