Libraries ACT has announced the start of a 12-month trial of video Auslan interpreting services across our branches. The service known as Convo representatives a step forward in ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone in our community.
Why this matters
Through our ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including advocacy groups like DeafACT, we've learned just how important it is to provide accessible services that meet the needs of all Canberrans. DeafACT has shared that written English can be difficult to understand for Auslan users due to the difference in grammar. To address this, we’ve introduced the Convo Australia video interpreting service to bridge that gap and provide smoother, more effective communication.
Convo is a Deaf-owned company that offers on-demand Auslan interpreting services. It’s used by major organisations both here in Australia, like the Australian Electoral Commission, and internationally by companies such as Heathrow Airport, Microsoft, and Google. We're proud to offer this service as part of our commitment to improving accessibility for our community.
How it works
The new service is easy to use and available at all Libraries ACT branches. Here’s how it works:
- Customers can simply scan a QR code using their own smartphone or tablet to connect with a live Auslan interpreter.
- The device is placed between the customer and the customer service officer so the conversation can be interpreted in real-time.
- No app download is needed, making the service even more accessible.
- Best of all, the service is completely free for our customers!
- To make it even easier, free Wi-Fi is available at all library branches, so everyone can connect seamlessly.
