Good communication doesn’t run to a schedule.
Meetings get called at short notice. Customers walk through the door unexpectedly. And important conversations happen whether you’re prepared for them or not.
For Deaf people in the workplace, that unpredictability can create real barriers, unless the right support is there when they need it.
That’s why Sign Solutions created InterpretersLive!, our on-demand BSL interpreting service. It puts professional communication support at your fingertips, without the need to book days in advance or cross your fingers that an interpreter is available. Here’s why more businesses and Deaf professionals are making it part of how they work.
What is InterpretersLive!?
InterpretersLive!, provided by Sign Solutions, enables on demand and pre-booked access to qualified NRCPD registered British Sign Language interpreters, and other communication professionals, every day of the year. There’s no specialist equipment to install and no complicated setup process. You simply connect and communicate via your phone, tablet or computer.
Unlike face-to-face interpreting, which needs to be arranged in advance, InterpretersLive! is available on demand, including outside of standard office hours.
Whether you need support for a two-minute conversation or a lengthier discussion, you can access it quickly, from wherever you’re working. For businesses and Deaf employees alike, that flexibility changes things considerably.
The problem with pre-planned interpreting
Pre-booked, face-to-face BSL interpreting is brilliant. For longer, more complex situations like training days, formal assessments or conferences, it’s often exactly what’s needed. But relying on it exclusively can leave some significant gaps.
Workplaces aren’t always predictable. Your manager might call an impromptu catch-up. A difficult HR conversation might need to happen sooner than expected. A Deaf customer might arrive at your reception desk needing assistance you hadn’t anticipated. In all these situations, waiting until a pre-booked interpreter is available isn’t an option. And for the Deaf person involved, that moment of being unable to communicate fully, or having to wait while others sort something out around them, can be frustrating, isolating and unnecessary.
How on-demand interpreting benefits your Deaf employees
For Deaf employees, InterpretersLive! makes spontaneous communication possible.
You no longer have to plan every interaction days ahead or sit out of conversations because the timing wasn’t convenient for anyone else’s diary.
Having to arrange support in advance for every single workplace interaction places an additional administrative burden on Deaf employees that their hearing colleagues don’t face. Over time, that can take a real toll, making them feel like an afterthought rather than a valued member of the team.
With InterpretersLive!, they can join an unplanned meeting, take part in an impromptu corridor conversation on their phone, or get support for a last-minute call without any of that friction. It puts them in control of their own communications, which is exactly where it should belong.
It’s also worth knowing that InterpretersLive! can be funded as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ under the Government Access to Work scheme. If you already use Access to Work funding, the cost of using the service can often be covered, so there’s no reason to go without support when you need it most.
How it benefits your business
For many employers, InterpretersLive! offers a reliable way to meet your communication responsibilities without the hassle of arranging face-to-face interpreting at short notice.
Under the Equality Act 2010, you have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for your Deaf employees and, in many cases, Deaf customers, too. Having on-demand interpreting available means you’re far better placed to honour that obligation in real time, not just in situations you’ve had the chance to plan for.
If you run a public-facing service, whether that’s a GP surgery, council office, housing association or retail environment, your Deaf service users need to be able to communicate with you without notice. InterpretersLive! makes that possible.
It’s also a cost-effective option. You use it when you need it, with no costly retainers or minimum commitments. For businesses that don’t require daily interpreting support but want to know it’s there when something comes up, that flexibility makes a lot of financial sense.
What to expect from the InterpretersLive! service
Every interpreter available through InterpretersLive! is NRCPD-registered and experienced in professional environments. You’re not getting a cut-price, compromise solution. You’re getting the same quality of interpreting you’d expect from a face-to-face booking, just delivered remotely.
The service is designed to connect you quickly, without a lengthy setup process eating into the time you need for the conversation itself. And because InterpretersLive! sits alongside Sign Solutions’ wider range of services, including face-to-face BSL interpreting and Deaf Awareness Training, you can combine it with other support to build a comprehensive approach to accessible and inclusive communication in your workplace.
Who is it for?
InterpretersLive! works well for a wide range of people and organisations. If you’re an employer or HR professional who wants dependable backup for unplanned situations, it gives you that safety net. If you’re a public sector organisation with a duty to serve Deaf members of the public, it helps you do that consistently and confidently.
For Deaf professionals, it’s a tool that supports greater independence, giving you the ability to communicate on your own terms, without always having to rely on others to make arrangements on your behalf. And if you’re already accessing Access to Work funding, it’s a natural and eligible addition to your existing support package.
How to get started
Getting started with InterpretersLive! is straightforward. The Sign Solutions team can talk you through how it can fit alongside any existing communication support you have in place. Whether you’re setting it up for yourself, for an employee, or across your organisation, we’ll help you find the right approach.
You can reach us by calling 0121 447 9620, emailing bookings@signsolutions.uk.com, or contacting us directly via BSL video interpreter. We’re here to make sure you’ve always got the support you need, not just on the days you planned for.
