Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
eGov monitor |
The Council is now offering a free British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting service on demand at Kensington Town Hall. The borough has installed a direct video link to skilled BSL interpreters enabling anyone to an effective three-way conversation with staff at Kensington Town Hall.
Residents will simply have to go to the reception at Kensington Town Hall and ask the member of staff to use the video link. No appointment is necessary; they simply have to turn up, make the request and will be shown to the room with the video link.
Cllr Fiona Buxton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "This new Council initiative will empower deaf and hard of hearing residents to access a vital service which, up until now would incur lengthy and costly procedures. There are very few BSL interpreters in the UK so this key partnership marks a positive step for our commitment to deaf customers and forms part of our focus on improving customer services in the borough."
The Mayor, Cllr Tim Ahern, demonstrated the new system to local deaf residents. One such resident, Michael Sarsfield, said: "I think it is absolutely wonderful, it is a real surprise and it is new to me. I had heard of things like this in America but not here. It was great to see the faces of all the other local deaf people - they seem really excited to use it."
The service is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at the Housing Benefits Reception Kensington Town Hall Horton Street. (except Bank Holidays).
The Council is now offering a free British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting service on demand at Kensington Town Hall. The borough has installed a direct video link to skilled BSL interpreters enabling anyone to an effective three-way conversation with staff at Kensington Town Hall.
Residents will simply have to go to the reception at Kensington Town Hall and ask the member of staff to use the video link. No appointment is necessary; they simply have to turn up, make the request and will be shown to the room with the video link.
Cllr Fiona Buxton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "This new Council initiative will empower deaf and hard of hearing residents to access a vital service which, up until now would incur lengthy and costly procedures. There are very few BSL interpreters in the UK so this key partnership marks a positive step for our commitment to deaf customers and forms part of our focus on improving customer services in the borough."
The Mayor, Cllr Tim Ahern, demonstrated the new system to local deaf residents. One such resident, Michael Sarsfield, said: "I think it is absolutely wonderful, it is a real surprise and it is new to me. I had heard of things like this in America but not here. It was great to see the faces of all the other local deaf people - they seem really excited to use it."
The service is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at the Housing Benefits Reception Kensington Town Hall Horton Street. (except Bank Holidays).