There’s a serious shortage of qualified BSL-English interpreters.

Every deaf sign language user knows how difficult it is to book an interpreter for important meetings. But broadband will make things better.

It’s already possible for a deaf person who have a computer and webcam to sign to a Video Relay Service (VRS) interpreter who is somewhere else –

The interpreter sees the signed information on screen and relays it in speech by telephone to a hearing person. The interpreter listens to the response, then translates it into BSL, signing into a webcam. The deaf person can see the interpreter signing on screen

VRS means that interpreters will be able to work from home and office sometimes. They will avoid wasting valuable time and money travelling round the country.

Government departments – including the NHS – are already looking at how broadband can enable on-line interpreting services for BSL users.

It’s another good reason to get to know all about broadband if you are deaf.

Learning BSL with broadband >