Shobhna’s story
We want to share some wonderful feedback that our Leeds Sensory Services team has received from Shobhan who participated in our Deaf Digital Inclusion Project!
“Thank you so much for showing me how to make my own call. So much better that I can do it in my own time and at home”
Shobhna joined us for our interpreter video relay service introduction workshop at Gallery House in Leeds as she wanted to learn more about how these services work. Shobhna found the session very engaging and was soon exploring the apps herself. Not long after our workshop, Shobhna returned to Gallery House for a one-on-one session, where our staff helped her download and register for three different apps.
During the session, Shobhna made her first call using the InterpreterLive! app to contact Virgin Media broadband. We stayed nearby to assist if needed, but she handled the call confidently, communicating her needs effectively with the on-screen interpreter. She required very little support and seemed at ease with the process.
After the call, we took some time to explore how she could find other companies to contact in the future. We walked her through using all three apps—SignVideo, InterpreterLive, and SignLive—step by step, covering everything from searching for companies, making and ending calls, to providing feedback on the interpreter’s quality. By the end, Shobhan was clear and confident about using these tools to stay connected.
The next time Shobhna visited Gallery House, she shared some exciting news—she had independently made a call to her bank using the SignVideo app. She was thrilled to be able to do it from the comfort of her home, on her own and in her own time. She said it was much better than waiting for an appointment. It was wonderful to see how empowered she felt using the apps to manage her communication needs.
“BSL video relay is more than just a tool—it’s a lifeline for the D/deaf community to ensure equality, connection, and independence in a world where communication is key.”
Amanda Farrar – Team Leader
Do you want to find out more about using interpreting video relay services and how to download the apps? check out our BSL ‘How to’ videos using the link below.
If you live in Leeds and are looking for support, please visit our page and get in touch.
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