ContactSCOTLAND Comes to the Centre! Our BSL users may be aware of the ContactSCOTLAND service, a special, online scheme which allows BSL users to speak with hearing people in the public or third sector.
The BSL user makes a video call online to sign their request to a trained ContactSCOTLAND interpreter. This person then passes these instructions down the phone to the organisation the BSL users wishes to contact, and also signs the responses. This is a much more effective way of reaching public sector organisations, like Local Councils or GP surgeries because there is no need to wait for an interpreter to be present, the whole conversation is immediate.
At present ContactSCOTLAND is available online and also through an App on Apple and Android devices. For those not sure about doing this or without internet access at home, the Centre has now installed the ContactSCOTLAND App on our mini iPads.
Centre Manager Jacquie Winning explained:
“We still get lots of BSL Users who receive letters from public organisations which require a swift response. For most people a simple phone call will do but for a BSL User who is deaf or hard of hearing, this isn’t as simple. The ContactSCOTLAND service changes that and here at the Centre we can provide instructions on how to use the service as well as private space in order to discuss personal matters with the relevant authority.”
ContactSCOTLAND is available seven days a week from 8am until midnight. For more information and to see a list of public bodies using the service, please see https://contactscotland-bsl.org
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