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BSL Users urged to join VRS Today! Campaign
Ofcom has launched a Review of Relay Services for Deaf People, whilst the review recognises the importance of Video Relay Services (VRS) which would give BSL users ‘greater equivalence’. They (OFCOM) have proposed introducing VRS on a restricted basis.
This would mean a BSL users would be allowed access to the service for only 30 minutes a month, and then only on weekdays (Monday to Friday) between 9am and 5pm!
The VRS Today! campaign which is calling for universal access to VRS for Deaf people is both happy that OFCOM has recognised the importance of VRS for BSL users but dismayed at the proposed restrictions.
David Buxton (Deaf), CEO of the British Deaf Association commented:
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Deaf people to finally catch up with the hearing in terms of telecommunications. We are not seeking special treatment, we are asking for equality. Deaf sign language users should be able to call colleagues, friends and relatives in the same way that hearing people take for granted every day”.
The campaign has the support of the major Deaf organisations in the UK, along with 115 MPs. The campaign recently held a meeting with Communciations Minister Ed Vaizey, where he confirmed his commitment to finding a solution to reform in this area.
Ofcom’s Review of Relay Services can be read and viewed in BSL here.
VRS Today! wants as many people as possible to sign their petition which can be found here. The deadline for responses is 20th October.
Ofcom has launched a Review of Relay Services for Deaf People, whilst the review recognises the importance of Video Relay Services (VRS) which would give BSL users ‘greater equivalence’. They (OFCOM) have proposed introducing VRS on a restricted basis.
This would mean a BSL users would be allowed access to the service for only 30 minutes a month, and then only on weekdays (Monday to Friday) between 9am and 5pm!
The VRS Today! campaign which is calling for universal access to VRS for Deaf people is both happy that OFCOM has recognised the importance of VRS for BSL users but dismayed at the proposed restrictions.
David Buxton (Deaf), CEO of the British Deaf Association commented:
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Deaf people to finally catch up with the hearing in terms of telecommunications. We are not seeking special treatment, we are asking for equality. Deaf sign language users should be able to call colleagues, friends and relatives in the same way that hearing people take for granted every day”.
The campaign has the support of the major Deaf organisations in the UK, along with 115 MPs. The campaign recently held a meeting with Communciations Minister Ed Vaizey, where he confirmed his commitment to finding a solution to reform in this area.
Ofcom’s Review of Relay Services can be read and viewed in BSL here.
VRS Today! wants as many people as possible to sign their petition which can be found here. The deadline for responses is 20th October.
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