Deaf-owned and deaf-led organisation SignLive is partnering with the Council to enhance the organisation’s translation and interpretation services.
The organisation has a pool of about 120 qualified and accredited interpreters trained in anti-fraud and safeguarding measures, which the community can access this service 24/7.
Fiona Mackay, COO of SignLive, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Sheffield City Council to enhance accessibility for the Deaf community. This collaboration signifies a major step towards inclusive communication, ensuring that Deaf individuals can easily access essential services and support. We look forward to working together to break down barriers and create a more inclusive environment for all residents.”
Users will be able to call the Council for free, following a one-time registration on the SignLive app, where they will be able to access the service.
Through this partnership, the Council is now implementing a new video relay service and a new video interpreting service, which is supported by SignLive. This new functionality improves the experience of our Deaf citizens and those with a hearing impairment- supporting them with a live, on-demand British Sign Language (BSL) qualified interpreter when contacting the Council.
Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “The launch of SignLive is a brilliant step in making our services more accessible to everyone in our communities. We are paving the way to make sure everyone has the support they need when contacting us. Introducing this functionality will make make our services more accessible to our deaf community.”
