Video Interpreting For The Deaf Across All Public Services In Scotland

Monday, 20 July 2015

The Scottish Government has announced the extension of the current NHS 24 online British Sign Language (BSL) Video Relay Interpreting Service pilot to the rest of the public sector in Scotland. The new Scottish Government-funded service will mean deaf people can now speak to public services, such as their local council, doctor’s surgery and the Scottish Government, without the need for someone to call on their behalf.

Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, welcomed the new service.

He said: “There are estimated to be around 6,500 people living in Scotland who use sign language and these people deserve to have the same access to services as everyone else. For the majority of people who rely on sign language to communicate, they need to arrange to have someone to call on their behalf. This new project will mean deaf people can video call an interpreter directly who will then speak to the relevant public sector organisation and act as an intermediary for the deaf person. This is a fantastic project and gives British Sign Language users equal access to public sector services, allowing them to enjoy greater participation in daily and public life.”

Andrew McCafferty, lives with his wife in Greenock, who are both profoundly deaf and recently used the video relay service to call NHS 24 – receiving treatment that saved his life.

He said: “My wife and l are profoundly deaf and use British Sign Language to communicate. It can be really difficult and frustrating to communicate with doctors, police officers and workman from the council that come to carry repairs in our home. Recently l took seriously ill and contacted NHS 24 through the online BSL interpreter service. The online interpreter assisted me throughout the call and later when l received treatment at the hospital, the doctors said the treatment saved my life. This is a great service which Deaf people can use when they need it, no matter where they live in Scotland.”

ContactSCOTLAND-BSL is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Sign Language Interactions. Our partner SignVideo has been at the forefront of providing these types of services to the private sector for over 10 years and has already secured partnerships with the likes of Arnold Clark, O2, Vodafone and the Wheatley Group.

If you would like to find out how your business can provide this service to potential deaf clients get in touch with Martin Kershaw on 0131 3000103 at mkershaw@9dots.co.uk

Written by Martin Kershaw - 09/03/2015

Recent Articles

2nd Year Running Early Treats and a few Golfing Tricks Unlock your full potential with the 'Open Road'What's all the fuss about 5G?A slow but steady return to normality...Don't let your staff returning to the office be a Trojan horse...The Great British Switch Off Our Royal Connectivity for both domestic and business use Protect your business from just a few £££ per month How COVID-19 has sparked a digital age of entrepreneurship Mobile MAY-nia Belated Celebrations and Brand-New Announcements SPRINGING into action February Fun Have you considered your post-lockdown working environment?The problematic pricing of large providers Good riddance and goodbye 2020...Hello 2021 Our Festive Farewell Lockdown 2 - What does it mean for you and you business?Award Winners iPhone 12 - Now Available!An alternative to the pub Products to help your business prevail in the 'new normal'Positive things and positive people Morning motivation and fresh faces Safety First!Mobile May Madness Staying connected as the world changes Full Fibre Breakfast and Broadband Why Getting Better Broadband is Essential to Your Business’s Success Corporate Social Responsibility Data Usage Warning!Fibre Connection for the Future TELECOMS: What You Need to Know in 2019 The time for better connectivity is now!2circles Consulting June '19 2Circles Consulting May '19 How can Wi-Fi experience drive loyalty?2Circles Consulting April '19 The Decline of the Landline - ten years in telecoms Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda….2Circles Consulting March '19 The Next Big Thing?When will I be able to get full fibre broadband?The New Way to Give to Charity?2Circles Consulting February '19 2Circles Consulting January '19 2Circles Consulting December '18 Protect yourself from telecoms fraud from just £1 a month It's that time of year again, is your phone system prepared?Who can remember the Millennium Bug Hype?Limiting 'phone addiction' in the workplace 5 things I learned from reading One Device (The Secret History of the iPhone - FT Business book of the year 2017)Land Rover release ruggedised phone for the farming community!New Features in Android Pie The Switch-Off is Happening!Thomson Cooper Secure their £3,000 Broadband Voucher for Gigabit Broadband New Version of Android to Help with Your 'lower spec' Android Devices The Rural Connectivity Conundrum £3,000 Broadband Vouchers are back!The Right To Demand Faster Broadband Speed When Weather affects Work - The Show MUST go on - But HOW?It's time to 'Flip the Iceberg' on the Cost Of a Hi-Speed and Guaranteed Broadband Service Copper is Dead, Join the Full Fibre Revolution!CAT's Latest Phone is a Real Workhorse Tequila & Tacos but Poor Mobile Service The Cost to Your Business of Cheap Solutions Good ol' BT...Have you locked the front door?Ransomware outbreak - Cisco Meraki will never make you want to cry!Superfast. Ultrafast.HTA News Feb 2017 Consumers Spent More Than 900 Billion Hours on Apps in 2016 A Golden Template for Every Network Internet of Things Will Play Major Role in Ultrafast Broadband Growth Christmas has arrived early for businesses still on ISDN lines!How will the PSTN and ISDN switch off impact on your business?Reliability Contest: ISDN vs VOIP Internet of Things Devices, Applications & Examples Broadband Voucher Scheme Generates Billions of Pounds for British Economy 6 ways a VoIP phone system can help your business How will your broadband cope with growing business demands?3 Tips to Roam Worry Free The Big ISDN Switch-Off 17 Mind Blowing “Internet of Things” Facts 9dots Review of The Year Mobile contracts – the decisions have changed £3,000 Broadband Vouchers - the money is running out!!The Internet of Things - What does it actually mean? And what does it mean for your business?Live in Fife? Want to know when Superfast is coming to you?Video Interpreting For The Deaf Across All Public Services In Scotland Broadband - speed vs reliability Does anyone remember Blackberry?