ALLIANCE response to the Scottish Government consultation on Video Relay Service for BSL users
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 8th April 2025
The ALLIANCE has published a response to a consultation on Video Relay Service for BSL users
The ALLIANCE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government consultation on the provision of a Video Relay Service for BSL users.
Contact Scotland BSL is the Scottish Government’s national flagship service for Deaf and Deafblind people who use BSL as their first language. It enables thousands of people every year to access public services, providing independence and empowerment via online interpreting Video Relay Services, Braille displays, and speech synthesizers. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is universally accessible and free at point of use. It handles on average between 3,000 – 4,000 calls every month, with high satisfaction rates among users. It is one of the key successes of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 and is held up internationally as an example of good practice.
The ALLIANCE believes that this service is essential to the day-to-day lives of Deaf and Deafblind people and their families, enabling independent access to civic society. It is vital that the Contact Scotland BSL service continues to operate 24/7, offering free communication support for BSL users and their families and carers to access public life and services.
You can access our response in both word and PDF in the resources section below.
End of page.
You may also like:
A UK wide creative competition for college and VET learners to show why UK–EU connections matter.
Continue readingThird sector partnership, including the ALLIANCE, publishes an updated joint statement outlining urgent actions required on prevention.
Continue readingPractitioners working across Third Sector Mental Health organisations are invited to participate in Digital Inclusion Champions Training
Continue readingGlasgow Caledonian University are seeking organisations who can offer placements for their Doctorate Counselling Psychology students.
Continue readingEnquire are keen to understand how co-ordinated support plans are working in real-life .
Continue readingThis year’s theme is ‘I am here…to be seen’.
Continue readingPaid leave would help support unpaid carers to balance work and caring, making it easier for them to enter and remain in employment.
Continue readingRead the ALLIANCE's response to the Programme for Government announced today.
Continue readingIn Control Scotland have published a new toolkit to help unpaid carers understand their rights and how to get support.
Continue reading#TryAToolTuesday raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing
Continue readingPeople with lived experience will now help shape local health and social care priorities as equal partners.
Continue reading“Radical change” cannot be delivered “oven-ready” or behind closed doors, say the ALLIANCE.
Continue readingAlison Thewliss MSP writes to Health, Care and Sport Committee as part of the First Minister's 100-day commitment on audiology.
Continue readingContact the Scottish Sensory Centre for an online consultation.
Continue readingThe Scottish Sensory Hub welcome your feedback to help inform their response to Scottish Government consultation.
Continue readingAward for outstanding contributions to the use of BSL in STEM education.
Continue readingAccess the Helpline for BSL users or make an online appointment.
Continue readingThis new resource contains key priorities for a Scotland grounded in human rights.
Continue readingAbilityNet has partnered with BT to provide free tablets to those in need of a device.
Continue readingExhibition opportunities are now open for the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Awards (SEMTA) 2026.
Continue readingPrevention work in communities is under pressure according to the findings of a new report out today.
Continue readingShare your views to shape the national social prescribing framework.
Continue readingResponses to two committees note that increasing investment in prevention is necessary to deliver longer term savings.
Continue readingResearchers are looking for input into menopause and cognition study to improve support.
Continue readingJoin our Children and Young People Community of Practice for new learning and opportunities to connect and share.
Continue reading