Sky to trial Video Relay contact method
Sky announced today that it has kicked off a trial of a service which allows people to contact their Accessible Customer Services team using British Sign Language (BSL).
From this week, deaf customers who prefer to communicate in BSL can try out the service by visiting Sky’s Accessibility website. From there they can be connected to a Video Relay service provided by a BSL interpreter based at a social enterprise called SignVideo. The interpreter will connect with a member of the Accessible Customer Services team and facilitate the call, relaying information between the Sky agent and the customer. The trial period runs until January 1 2014 and the service is free to use.
Sky has long had a commitment to ensuring all customers can make the most of its products and services. The trial of Video Relay offers another choice for how customers can get in touch with Sky, in addition to methods such as email, textphone, live chat and telephone. It builds on Sky’s existing support for customers who use BSL which includes being a major funder of the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust, who produce independent content presented in British Sign Language, broadcast on the Community Channel.
The Video Relay service is available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and can be accessed from anywhere in the UK through SignVideo’s cloud based BSL LIVE service, using a customer’s webcam.
Laura Johnston, Sky’s Head of Department, Accessible Customer Services said: “We want to make it easy for customers with disabilities to get the most from Sky and our team is specially trained to support a wide range of disabilities. We’ve been doing this for 10 years and are excited to be trialling this new contact method for deaf customers. The service is enabled by SignVideo’s technology and we’re glad to be working with them and supporting a social enterprise that is run by BSL users, for BSL users”.
Jeff McWhinney, a deaf entrepreneur and chair of SignVideo, said: “The commitment by a leading broadcaster to open access for deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users via SignVideo is to be welcomed as a major step forward. Sky is to be congratulated, as their initiative will extend their commitment to exceptional service to include deaf people who use BSL.
Now we, deaf people, await other broadcasters, telecommunications providers and other organisations across the UK to follow Sky’s example by seeing what they can do to support BSL access, bringing their customer services into the 21st Century too"
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Notes to editors
SignVideo:
For photos and/or further information about SignVideo, Duncan Culley, Sales & Marketing Manager, on 0208 463 1125 - duncan@signvideo.co.uk
SignVideo provides instant access to highly qualified BSL interpreters through its network of hi-tech video contact centres in London and Edinburgh.
SignVideo is the UK’s market leader for on-line video interpreting. For further information please visit www.signvideo.co.uk
Sky
For more information about how Sky can support customers with disabilities, please visit www.sky.com/accessibility
Sky’s Accessible Customer Service team was launch in 2003 to offer specialised support to customers with disabilities
About Sky:
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY)