https://store-images.s-microsoft.com/image/apps.56395.dcb81464-8d6b-4c1c-816f-83f19267292a.21b7198f-7d7a-4696-bcf9-c1936fbd9df3.0392b881-a110-4a50-a8c8-a710dde2b4a7

SignMe

by Signly

Sign language interpreting in Teams in under 30 seconds


The Problem

Host organisations

  • Responsibility to provide sign language interpreters lies with the host in scenarios like the NHS. This is not always well known
  • Organisations with a passion for inclusion often want to arrange interpreters but don't know how to do it
  • They are unsure who provides the service
  • There is no central booking system to locate interpreters theclosest is a Twitter bot
  • The VRS platforms are unfamiliar
  • Sometimes it's a last minute process
  • There aren't enough interpreters the ratio of interpreters to deaf sign language users is 1:75 in the UK so it's tough at the best of times
  • Finding an interpreter even with two weeks' notice can be impossible

VRS providers

  • Maximising interpreter availability is key interoperability between VRS providers would help
  • Building and customising bespoke video relay services (VRS) platforms can be costly and time consuming
  • The platform build cost is cash that might be better spent elsewhere like training more terps

Wouldn't it be good if the host could get a sign language interpreter into a Teams meeting is under a minute?

Meet SignMe, a Teams app powered by Microsoft Azure.

  • VRS companies sign up to the platform in under ten minutes, providing simple details
  • Organisations select who their framework agreement for VRS is with
  • The host organisation simply types 'request interpreter' into theSignMe bot which will do the rest
  • Deaf users get to choose the on call interpreter
  • Or they can do a future booking
  • All this happens in seconds
  • The VRS provider receives a log of calls

At a glance

https://store-images.s-microsoft.com/image/apps.58052.dcb81464-8d6b-4c1c-816f-83f19267292a.21b7198f-7d7a-4696-bcf9-c1936fbd9df3.c8393925-f0c1-4f11-b25c-23416db3f438
/staticstorage/linux/20241105.1/assets/videoOverlay_7299e00c2e43a32cf9fa.png
https://store-images.s-microsoft.com/image/apps.58052.dcb81464-8d6b-4c1c-816f-83f19267292a.21b7198f-7d7a-4696-bcf9-c1936fbd9df3.c8393925-f0c1-4f11-b25c-23416db3f438