Deaf customers of Cuckoo Broadband can now contact the provider using British Sign Language (BSL) thanks to a new partnership with Sign Solutions.
The move makes the challenger provider’s customer service more accessible to the deaf community, with BSL users now able to speak directly with Cuckoo’s team via video interpreter.
Cuckoo joins over 100 organisations who have already implemented the scheme, with Sign Solutions’ InterpreterLive! service available to customers via both web and mobile platforms.
Sign Solutions provide on demand interpreting, training and translation services to the deaf community, enabling them to communicate more effectively and gain equal access to services, education and work.
The partnership is the latest step in providers’ efforts to make broadband fairer for all, with Cuckoo already having a number of policies in place to support vulnerable customers – including readily available braille, large print and audio contracts.
The company is also committed to improving accessibility during their recruitment process, anonymising every application and carrying out audio only screening calls to reduce unconscious bias.
The faster and fairer brand donates 1% of each customer’s bill to Jangala, a not-for-profit that helps get the internet to refugee camps, natural disaster sites and even disadvantaged communities in the UK.
Tommy Toner, Co-founder, VP of Product and Brand (pictured above) said: “We’re delighted to offer this service to our customers that communicate using British Sign Language. We’re on a mission to become the UK’s fastest, fairest broadband provider, and accessibility plays a huge role in that.
“Speaking with customer service teams should be easy. Where other broadband providers often make this difficult with annoying hold music and lengthy waiting times we’re making it as simple as possible – even for those in the deaf community.”
Sophie Kang, Customer Development Manager at Sign Solutions adds: “Sign Solutions, providers of InterpretersLive!, is delighted to be partnering with Cuckoo to provide our on-demand service to all of Cuckoo’s deaf customers.
“Access to services in British Sign Language (BSL) is vital for those who use BSL as a first or preferred language therefore offering our VRS service to Cuckoos customers ensures their products and services are accessible and contributes to breaking down the barriers in communication for the Deaf community.”