OTTAWA – The CRTC launched a public consultation today on whether video relay service for Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired should be offered. As part of this consultation, the CRTC will hold a public hearing starting on October 21, 2013, in Gatineau, QC.
Currently, two text-based relay services, Internet Protocol relay and teletypewriter relay, are available to Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Video relay service would enable people who use sign language to communicate with voice telephone users via an operator who relays the conversation from sign language to spoken language, and vice versa.
“Video relay service is an example of the initiatives we are exploring to improve the accessibility of communication services,” said Jean-Pierre Blais, chairman of the CRTC, in an announcement. “There are a number of factors that must be weighed before we can decide whether this service should be made available in Canada. We encourage all Canadians to participate in this consultation and to share their views.”
The CRTC is inviting Canadians to share views on the following topics:
- the benefits of video relay service
- whether video relay service should be offered and, if so, how it could be implemented and administered
- the costs of video relay service and how they should be covered
- how to make the best use of resources, such as VRS operators
Comments should be submitted to the Commission by May 17, 2013.
