Hospice introduce sign language function to website

The hospice, which provides specialist palliative care services in Northampton, launched the new SignVideo function to mark Accessibility Awareness Day today, 16th May.

SignVideo provides deaf BSL users a choice to contact the hospice through a specialist video relay service which allows hearing and deaf people to communicate from separate locations via telephone.

All visitors to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice website can access the service through a link button at the top of the homepage.

By clicking on the link, users will be connected with a BSL interpreter.

A hearing person can use a smartphone or landline telephone to call a deaf person on their smartphone or tablet. The hearing person will hear the interpreter over the phone.

A deaf person can use their smartphone or tablet to call a hearing person on their mobile or landline. The deaf person will see the interpreter on their screen.

Director of Income Generation & Communications at the hospice Anita Frith said: “One in seven people in the UK have a hearing loss and it is important to us that our services are inclusive for all.

“The new SignVideo functionality will allow us to communicate more effectively with deaf or hard of hearing people who use British Sign Language (BSL) and we are proud to be able to offer this as standard on our website.”

To find out more about Cynthia Spencer Hospice and to try out the SignVideo service, visit www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk.