Contact Scotland BSL is a Scottish Government service that provides telephone access for Deaf users throughout Scotland through live BSL video interpreting video relay service.
For deaf callers
Cat explains how you can make the most of Contact Scotland BSL telephone relay service in making and receiving calls from hearing callers. Our service is highly professional, confidential and impartial and our BSL interpreters are available 24/7 so who do you want to call?
Cat explains how you can make the most of Contact Scotland BSL telephone relay service in making and receiving calls from hearing callers. Our service is highly professional, confidential and impartial and our BSL interpreters are available 24/7 so who do you want to call?
A seamless call within seconds
As a Contact Scotland BSL user, you will have instant connection to an experienced, qualified British Sign Language (BSL) video interpreter within minutes through our Contact Scotland BSL App or Web with your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.
Making a call to a hearing person
You can dial the number or select a service from our featured directory to make a call and you will connect to a BSL interpreter instantly. If there’s an answer machine, you can also leave a BSL video message for the interpreter to relay into a voicemail message if the person is not available to take your call.
Receiving a call from a hearing person
It’s simple, you would answer the call your usual way. A BSL interpreter will relay the conversation in turn by signing when the person is saying, interpreting when you are signing.
Who can you call?
All Scotland’s public bodies
- Police
- NHS (including GPs and clinics)
- Councils (including Housing and Schools)
- SQA, SAAS, CalMac, Police 101
- NHS24
All voluntary organisations and charities
- PDSA
- CAS
- Deaf charities and many more
All private businesses
- Hairdresser appointments
- Car garages and other maintenance services
- Taxi and transportation services
- Health and well-being services
- Food or shopping delivery service
- Repair service
- Shops, stores and retail services
- Insurance companies and many others
Your loved ones including families, friends, neighbours and colleagues
What do I need to use Contact Scotland BSL?
To use Contact Scotland BSL, you will need three things as minimum requirements:
1) Device – They can be the following:
- Window PC app
- Apple Mac app
- iOS app
- Android app
- Contact Scotland BSL Web
2) Webcam – They can be plugged in or built in.
3) Good internet connection – They can be plugged in or built in.
For the best experience with Contact Scotland BSL, we advise having a minimum 2Mbps upload and download internet speed. Your internet connection can be any of the following:
- 3G,4G,5G mobile network
- Plug in Broadband/ethernet
- WiFi
VRS for all
Our service is VRS for all and it is completely free to use. We are open 24/7 so you can call anytime. Please visit our FAQs page for more information.
