Kitchener City Hall now offers American Sign Language interpretation

With today’s launch of on-demand video interpretation services, people who are part of the deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing communities are now able to receive services and information at Kitchener City Hall in American Sign Language (ASL).

For more than a year, City Hall customers have been able to access on-demand language interpretation support 24-7 by phone or in-person during business hours at City facilities. This new service, known as video remote interpretation (VRI), now makes ASL plus more than 200 languages, available by video.

“The introduction of on-demand VRI service supports the City’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and to ensuring equitable on-demand service for all of our customers,” said Jana Miller, director of corporate customer service.

Customers requesting VRI will be able to use one of the City’s iPads to visually communicate with an ASL interpreter.

“VRI is initially offered only at City Hall. We’re looking at expanding VRI service to include other City facilities in the future,” Miller added.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said he is delighted the addition of video to multi-language interpretation at City Hall will serve a large and important part of our community.

“The ability to provide video interpretation services for our hard-of-hearing residents and anyone whose first language is not English is a benefit not only to those members within our population but also serves as an asset to the entire community,” Vrbanovic said. “In short, it makes us a more caring and inclusive city.”

For more information about the City’s multi-language interpretation service, call our corporate contact centre at 519-741-2345; TTY 1-888-420-1777; or visit www.kitchener.ca/contactus.

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For more information, contact:
Bethany Rowland
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca