The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) have started to support people to use BSL and ISL has part of a pilot scheme.
NIHE’s British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) customers can now contact them through a new communication method called Video Relay Service (VRS).
This Relay Service is being provided by SignLive. Using this service customers will be able to communicate directly with staff via a Sign Language interpreter who will sign the staff member’s words verbatim to the customer and vice versa.
All calls coming through to the NIHE will be managed by SignLive and details of how BSL & ISL customers can access the Video Relay Service are available on the NIHE’s website.
Please note that this is a pilot scheme that is currently in place for 12 months. It is also hoped that VRS will improve communication options during the Covid-19 pandemic.