BSL clip large: Paragraph 1 starting "Dr Mark Downs" (2.54MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 1 starting "Dr Mark Downs" (723KB)

Dr Mark Downs, RNID's Executive Director of Technology and Enterprise, says: "Ofcom confirmed that video relay is essential for users of British Sign Language (BSL) if they are to be fully enabled citizens in the digital world. Being able to communicate effectively over the phone is not a gimmick, but a key requirement in employment as well as in people's social lives.

BSL clip large: Paragraph 2 starting "We are disappointed" (4.06MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 2 starting "We are disappointed" (1.12MB)

"We are disappointed that Ofcom has yet to address the key question of funding. With adequate funding RNID would be able to develop and grow the service to benefit thousands of BSL users. Deaf people cannot afford the real cost of these services without subsidy, which could be as high as £3 per minute and RNID cannot afford to continue to subsidise this. Ofcom says it will explore funding possibilities, but in the meantime BSL users continue to be left without an effective means of communication. There is a need for immediate funding for SignTalk while Ofcom decides on its long term strategy."

BSL clip large: Paragraph 3 starting "Antony Rabin, a deaf BSL user" (3.81MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 3 starting "Antony Rabin, a deaf BSL user" (1.06MB)

Antony Rabin, a deaf BSL user has seen his life and career changed through the use of RNID SignTalk. Thanks to SignTalk, he can now communicate over the phone, something most of us take for granted:

"SignTalk has made such a difference for me! Finally, I can communicate over the phone as freely as hearing people have been able to do for so long.  Without SignTalk my ability to communicate will be severely restricted. I don't know what I'll do without it. Why can hearing people call anyone at any time, whereas I am prevented from having the same freedom to communicate?" Antony said.

BSL clip large: Paragraph 4 starting "Video relay services have the potential" (3.26MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 4 starting "Video relay services have the potential" (931KB)

Video relay services have the potential to provide a life-line for BSL users by allowing them to communicate with hearing people over the telephone using a sign language interpreter. RNID SignTalk, the UK's only free, 9am to 5pm service for BSL users, will be folding unless additional funding is secured. The innovative video relay service enables BSL users to make calls by harnessing the opportunity of the internet.

BSL clip large: Paragraph 5 starting "RNID, had welcomed  the findings" (1.77MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 5 starting "RNID, had welcomed  the findings" (501KB)

RNID, had welcomed  the findings in Ofcom's November 2006 report (see notes) which highlights the demand and impact of video relay services, but is extremely disappointed that Ofcom has stopped short of creating the much needed funding source to sustain these services.

BSL clip large: Paragraph 6 starting "Since the launch of SignTalk in 2004" (3.91MB)
BSL clip small: Paragraph 6 starting "Since the launch of SignTalk in 2004" (1.08MB)

Since the launch of SignTalk in 2004, RNID has fully subsidised the service, but at a cost of up to £3 per minute, this is not sustainable. In the US, video relay services have existed for many years and are available 24 hours seven days a week, at no extra cost to the users. In 2005, US deaf citizens made over 4.5 million video relay calls. This stands in sharp contrast with the UK where video relay provision remains very basic and is unavailable or unaffordable for most potential users as a direct result of the funding shortfall.