Numerous deaf people have expressed their concern and frustration at delays in being able to access Relay UK services, which enable them to make phone calls, a vital service during the coronavirus crisis.
This is leading to concern about whether deaf people with coronavirus who are unable to use the phone will be able to use the service in an emergency, although the coronavirus page on the Relay UK site says: “During peak demand we may have to give priority to emergency calls over the coming weeks and months, but rest assured we’ll continue to join your relay calls as soon as we possibly can.”
One deaf Relay UK user has told us how he’s been trying to use the service in order to contact his mortgage provider about meeting his mortgage payments, but has not been able to get through for two days. He has also complained, but has not received a reply.
Other deaf people have contacted us and commented on social media saying they are facing the same problems.
http://twitter.com/MadPollardsHome/status/1240592177325125632
The Relay UK site says that “Our business continuity and incident management plans include maintaining critical business processes as our first priority.”
We have contacted Relay UK for their comment.
MW
March 19, 2020
Ditto with my GP yesterday having had my face to face appointment cancelled as they will only do telephone assistance – sigh but managed to hang on and get my medication sorted but really frightening how all this event seems to have forgotten deaf people needs.
Chelle
March 21, 2020
Shame on you Relay UK. You have succumbed to greedy government cuts. Our country has similar issues but we have fought and fought to stop it getting worse. Relay UK, you are not a business, you are a service to the Deaf community and a bloody essential one! Start behaving like a service and stop making money off the backs of Deaf people.