Blog - Communication support

The need for sign language help for medical appointments has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. The widespread use of PPE and face coverings is making communication and lip-reading difficult in healthcare settings. Deaf people are feeling increasingly frustrated and isolated. Many of the 87,000 Deaf people across the UK who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first or preferred language, have encountered problems accessing healthcare at some point. When a BSL interpreter has been unavailable, they’ve had to rely...

If you’re arranging communication support for someone who is deaf or has hearing loss, always check what their preferred type of support is first. If they require a speech-to-text reporter, here’s all you need to know when making a booking. 1. What is a speech-to-text reporter? A speech-to-text reporter (STTR) – sometimes called a stenographer or palantypist – provides communication support to people who are deaf or have hearing loss. The STTR uses a special keyboard to type each word that’s...

Have you been asked about booking a lipspeaker but you’re unsure what to do next? Here’s a roundup of our frequently asked questions so you can book with confidence: 1. What is a lipspeaker? A lipspeaker is a hearing person who relays speech to someone who is deaf or has hearing loss using lip shapes, natural gestures and facial expressions but no voice. They repeat the words as the speaker says them without adding their own personal comments or views. 2. What...

Are you looking for a British Sign Language translator – also known as a BSL sign language interpreter? We’re the UK’s largest specialist agency providing communication support for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, delivering over 18,000 assignments annually. Whether you need to make a one-off booking or arrange a long-term contract, we can provide someone with the specialist skills to meet your needs. Our ISO-approved interpreting services are used in a wide range of sectors. Are you an...

RNID (formerly Action Hearing Loss) can supply a lipspeaker UK registered and qualified for all types of situation. If you’ve been asked to provide communication support for someone who lipreads but don’t know where to start, we can guide you through the process. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements. Why you can book with confidence 1) Get the right communication support No one understands hearing loss better than us. We know which questions to ask to ensure you book the...

To support you, and help answer your questions about our video remote interpreting (VRI) service, we have produced these best practice guidelines. Registered, qualified BSL interpreters – book with confidence We only provide registered qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters with a minimum of three years community experience. Interpreters must be registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), or the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI). How to decide if remote interpreting is...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve introduced video remote interpreting (VRI) in addition to our face-to-face provision. Here’s a roundup of frequently asked questions about the service: 1. What type of situations can VRI be used for? We’ll be able to confirm whether VRI is suitable for the type of booking you’re requesting. There are some situations, including police bookings, which are not appropriate for remote interpreting. Please read our Best practice guidelines for video remote interpreting. 2. What booking details...

When contacting us to book a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please give as much detail as you can. The following information will ensure you receive the most appropriate communication support for every situation: 1. Why you’re booking a BSL interpreter As the UK’s largest provider of communication support for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, we supply BSL interpreters for a wide range of situations. Whether you’re seeking support for a job interview, work meeting, training course, medical appointment...

We’re often asked for the costs and hourly rates of speech-to-text reporters. The minimum booking varies from two to three hours depending on your requirements and location. In order to provide you with a quote, we’ll first check that a speech-to-text reporter is the most suitable communication professional for your requirements. We’ll then need full details of the assignment. Who is a speech-to-text reporter suitable for? A speech-to-text reporter (also known as a STTR) converts speech into text in real time...

If you need to book communication support for someone who uses British Sign Language (BSL), we can advise the cost of a BSL interpreter. Whether you’re enquiring about a one-off booking or regular assignment, we’ll work closely with you to establish your exact requirements. What we need to know As every assignment is different, the cost of a sign language interpreter UK registered will vary. In order to give you an accurate quotation, we’ll ask the following questions when you contact...