Sparking conversation with new video phone

Hutt City Council has installed a video phone to help deaf and hearing impaired residents take advantage of the government’s free Video Relay Service (VRS) trial.

The VRS enables people who use sign language to communicate via video conferencing with a video interpreter through a video phone.

For example if a deaf person wants to speak to someone at council they can use the video phone to connect to the VRS and using sign language tell the interpreter what they’d like to enquire about. The interpreter will call council using a standard phone before relaying the conversation back to the deaf person using sign language via the video phone.

Mayor David Ogden is impressed by the options the phone gives Hutt City’s deaf community.

“The Video Relay Service is a great initiative and I’m glad we’re able to help Hutt City residents participate in the trial.

“It’s ideal for hearing impaired people who want to make calls many of us take for granted , such as calling council, their bank, or enquiring about their electricity bill or phone charges,” he says.

The video phone has been set up at the Great Start House, a community-led initiative in Taita, and council has worked closely with the Great Start team.

Great Start manager Karen Clifford is excited to be part of the project.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people who want to use the phone and we’ve created a great, comfortable space where people can come and have a private conversation,” she says.

The video phone is available at the Great Start House on Friday mornings. Those wanting to book the phone should email kirsten.grenfell@barnardos.org.nz.