Deaf News: Interpreting union warns of the ‘normalisation’ of video relay with new campaign

Posted on November 23, 2020 by


Red tick inside a circle. The text along the straight part of the text reads '#RightsReclaim', and inside the circle is the logo for NUBSLI.

The National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI) has expressed concern that video relay services (VRS) may become the ‘new’ normal for interpreters and deaf people after the coronavirus pandemic.

Their new campaign, called #RightsReclaim, comes as the union was made aware of agencies planning to move half of their service onto VRS in the long term, after the current health crisis.

NUBSLI Branch Secretary Samantha Riddle told The Limping Chicken: “We have to be realistic because society has changed. More work is happening online.

“That’s fine if it’s appropriate. We’re not saying online interpreting is bad; we’re saying online interpreting has to be appropriate.

“The interpreter has to be paid a fair wage. Importantly, the person using the interpreter has to agree and has to choose – it has to be their choice, rather than something imposed on deaf people.”

Samantha continued to warn of a “big risk” of language agencies, including those from America, “monopolising” the UK’s interpreting service by driving down standards in an effort offer the cheapest service.

She added that she feels it is people’s responsibility to challenge such a move.

“We’ve known about this for a long time – the system is broken. What’s happening now is only highlighting its failings.

“We need to reimagine interpreting provision. What do we replace it with that meets everybody’s needs, that means that the profession is sustainable and that deaf people have a high quality service, but also hearing people?

“We need to make sure the interpreting is improved for everyone involved,” she said.

Criticism of the current system has also come from Signalise, a co-operative which aims to “revolutionise” the booking of interpreters by creating “an online system designed by its users”.

A statement on their website reads: “The current procurement model is failing. It has led to a decline in quality and poor access for the Deaf community and interpreters.

“Agencies who are awarded contracts by government often have no knowledge or understanding of the Deaf community or its needs, cannot provide a service and interpreters do not like to work for them.

“A co-operative model where members have a vested interest will drive up standards and can offer social benefits to the Deaf and interpreting communities, as well as offer services who need to book interpreters a better standard and value for money,” it says.

Last month, over £8,000 was raised in a crowdfunder to set up the co-operative, with Labour MPs John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome lending their vocal support.

When asked what NUBSLI made of the organisation’s approach, Samantha said: “Cooperatives such as Signalise offer an alternative to the huge multi-lingual agencies commoditising sign language interpreting, as well as being an example of interpreters and deaf people coming together – creating a co-designed service with the purpose of providing access, rather than generating profit for shareholders.

“Cooperatives on a national level, or a network of cooperatives, are possible solutions to the current threat we’re experiencing, however we need an immediate response to fight back against agencies capitalising on the pandemic.

“That’s why we’re asking everyone who wants fair and high quality interpreting to support our campaign,” she said.

Following the release of an open letter at the start of the month, NUBSLI now aim to educate hearing-led unions about interpreting as part of the #RightsReclaim campaign.

In January, the union will send its open letter to agencies, and meet with its members to create a manifesto with aims for the campaign going forward.

Samantha added: “This campaign is about protecting everyone’s rights – deaf peoples’ right to access and to remain safe, and interpreters’ rights to be treated fairly as workers and professionals.

“We hope that deaf communities and all users of interpreting services will help us by supporting the campaign, as it is only by working together that will we protect and reclaim our rights.”

People interested in supporting the campaign are encouraged to sign the open letter, and email Samantha at Branch-secretary@nubsli.com.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.


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