The Department of Communications and the Arts has launched two new videos to help people with speech or hearing difficulties make video calls.
In a statement, the Department said the video relay allowed users of the Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to have their conversations translated over video by a relay officer to a hearing person using an ordinary phone.
It said the how-to videos explain the steps to take in making the calls through the National Relay Service (NRS) and including images, captions and Auslan.
“NRS users can also contact the NRS Helpdesk for assistance with making video relay calls,” the Department said.
“Accesshub is the home for information about the NRS and the range of other communication options available for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment.’
One of the videos uses Auslan sign language to explain that in a technologically evolving world people who were deaf and hearing impaired could now use a range of ways to stay in touch with family and friends “24 hours a day, seven days a week”.
“New apps, video calls and digital literacy sites will be updated regularly and will provide convenient and low-cost options which are all in one place on Accesshub,” the video says.
The new videos can be accessed at this PS News link (2.14 minutes) and this one (3.46 minutes).
