999 BSL service enables Deaf signers to contact emergency services

A video relay service (VRS) which will enable Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users to contact emergency services in their first language has launched to the public today.

999 BSL, available as both a mobile app and a web-based platform, sees Deaf individuals communicate with 999 call handlers via a sign language interpreter.

The service – which is available 24/7, 365 days a year – went live at 9am this morning.

Its launch comes after the communications regulator Ofcom first consulted on plans for the VRS back in December 2019, before “implementation issues” delayed progress on the project.

A further consultation was published in February 2021, before the 999 VRS was officially confirmed in June that year.

Ofcom later proposed that the Glasgow-based company Sign Language Interactions (SLI) should be approved as a provider of the 999 VRS, with approval granted in January.

Andrew Dewey, SLI’s head of strategy and business development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the company is “incredibly excited” to launch 999 BSL.

“Thanks to this innovative new service, no deaf person will be excluded when they need to make an emergency call, therefore saving lives.

“999 BSL is a vital new addition to the services we proudly provide to the deaf community in the UK,” he said.

In a statement issued in 2019 about the service, Ofcom said: “Deaf people want to be able to use their first language in an emergency. This will make calls faster and more accurate – better for Deaf people and for the emergency services.”

Deaf people could previously contact 999 through text-based services such as Relay UK and Emergency SMS, but 999 BSL will finally make police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services contactable to sign language users.

Policing minister Kit Malthouse MP said: “Calling 999 can literally be a matter of life and death, and everyone should have confidence that their local police force will be at the end of the phone, ready to jump to their aid.

“Increasing accessibility of the 999 service to all members of the public is vital and will help to ensure our streets [are] safer for everyone.”

Fire minister Lord Greenhalgh added: “I am absolutely delighted to see the launch of this revolutionary new emergency service to enable deaf British Sign Language users to alert fire and rescue authorities if they are in trouble.

“This is a huge step towards keeping everyone in the public safe.” 

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of the London Ambulance Service, said: “In an emergency, every moment counts. We are delighted that this service will enable British Sign Language users to access our life-saving services more easily than ever before.

“Accessibility is crucial to our mission to keep Londoners safe, and provide medical care to those who need it, when they need it.”

The launch has also been ‘strongly welcomed’ by the National Deaf Children’s Society, with CEO Susan Daniels saying: “Calling for help quickly is vital in an emergency and no one should ever have to worry about communication when they do so. 999 BSL should remove these barriers.

“It’s now crucial that the developers do everything they can to make sure that every BSL user in the country knows it exists.

“We’d urge every deaf child and young person who uses BSL to download the app without delay. Having the option to get help so quickly, in their first language, could one day prove to be a life-saver.”

Meanwhile, Deaf health charity SignHealth has partnered with UK Deaf organisations to host launch parties for the 999 BSL service later today.

James Watson-O’Neill, the charity’s chief executive, said: “This service isn’t just important for the Deaf community – it is a service that will benefit everyone.

🚨​ SAVE THE DATE 🚨​

17 June will be a memorable day: it is the launch of #999BSL

Deaf communities across the country are coming together to celebrate. And we will also be premiering our superhero short film!

Join us in the celebration closest to you:https://t.co/GFdWlrPLmt pic.twitter.com/TOZ3XyRyeR

— SignHealth (@SignHealth) June 11, 2022

“Deaf people can now contact emergency services directly and assist anyone in need of help. This is a huge breakthrough in terms of access and a moment worth celebrating.”

SignHealth has also called on deaf schools and youth groups to design a costume for a new “Deaf superhero” to coincide with 999 BSL’s launch, with 16-year-old Kimberley Michael from Deaf Active’s Youth Club creating the winning outfit.

A short film unveiling the superhero, which features Deaf actors Nadia Nadarajah and Noah Holdsworth, will premiere at local parties and on YouTube at midday.

More information about 999 BSL can be found on 999BSL.co.uk.

Photo: SignVideo/Facebook.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.

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Update – 17/06/22 – 16:00: Commenting on today’s launch, Ofcom’s senior policy manager Katie Hanson said: “You can go for years without needing to call 999. But knowing you can call for help on your mobile phone is something we should all be able to rely on, and something many of us take for granted.

“Our new rules mean deaf people can now make a video call in an emergency, which will benefit everyone and save lives.”

The Limping Chicken approached Ofcom for comment on why the regulator has only just approved plans for a 999 BSL service, to which Ms Hanson added: “There was widespread support for our proposal from the communications sector and from deaf people.

”However, some implementation issues were raised, including feedback from deaf people about the importance of not requiring registration or passwords.

“Other issues included how we could be certain that enough money could be collected to pay for the service. We changed the wording of the rules to require communications providers either to provide emergency video relay themselves or contract to provide it.

“This was designed to ensure that relevant telecoms providers paid their share of the costs. We also wanted to clarify that, for 999 BSL to be free to use, the data should be zero-rated.

“We carried out further consultation on these points.

“One of the benefits of public consultation is that issues such as these can be raised and addressed. We are grateful to the people, many of them deaf, who took the time to respond to our consultation.