LB Islington launched a service on 9 September 2005 that will enable people with hearing impairments to communicate effectively with the council.
The technology uses a video conferencing link to a sign language interpreter (SLI) at the offices of private partner and technology provider Significan't. The interpreter can act as a translator between a council call centre operative and a deaf person. The council believes the system, for which the £500,000 development and first year of running costs have been provided by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is the first of its kind in Europe. The scheme is expected to cover its own running costs after this period with the council paying a fee each time Significan't is contacted.
Deaf people can use the service in three ways. They can visit the council call centre and sit with an operative, talking with an SLI at Significan't who acts an interpreter. Alternatively they can use a three way video link with the company and a council employee at another location.
Thirdly, those with webcam technology, which is popular among deaf people, can establish a three way online communication line from their home. This offers deaf people a much quicker method of accessing information, as previously they had to book an appointment with a council SLI anything up to two or three weeks in advance.
Islington is the first local authority to offer this service to its 250 estimated deaf citizens. Significan't said that LB Tower Hamlets is not far behind, while 17 other London boroughs are interested.
Sign language interpreters at Significan't can be contacted between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday at the moment, but the opening hours will be widened as demand grows. Although the only council building where citizens can use these facilities is its call centre on Upper Street, it plans to extend the service by installing videophones in other departments when there is sufficient demand.
The launch of the service follows the successful completion of trial that began in June.
Leader of Islington Council Steve Hitchins said: "This pilot scheme is about extending to deaf residents what the rest of us take for granted – accurate information and instant contact with the council. It is an important part of including people in our borough."
Council chief executive Helen Bailey, said: "Our services have to be accessible but some people find it tough to get in touch with us. They now have a new route of getting in touch.
"There is lots of talk of technology improving people's lives. A simple thing like this allows us to do something very significant for them."
Quelle: KableNET, 09.09.2005
