Quinte West councillors are considering a new service that would allow for Deaf or hard of hearing people to get sign language interpreters on demand.
At Monday’s Quinte West council meeting, members of the Canadian Hearing Services presented the CHS Video Remote Interpreting Service which is designed to allow any kind of business to get a sign language interpreter in seconds.
The service costs $4 per minute and involves signing into an account using a tablet and within 15 to 20 seconds anyone can get connected with a sign language interpreter via video.
Canadian Hearing Services Eastern Ontario Director Michael Warburton said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the issue of travel for professional interpreters. He explained that this service eliminates the issue of travel, overpaying for bookings and the lack of immediacy.
“So it’s a privacy booth and they’re set up and now they’re ready to take video calls. This platform that we’re discussing is the on demand one so as soon as it rings they answer it and the connection is made.”
The service is designed so anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing can walk into virtually any business and be helped at the front desk or service area by someone using a tablet to connect with an interpreter on the spot.