Communication Service for the Deaf Launches New ASL Accessible COVID-19 Hotline in Austin, Texas

The Austin ASL Now Hotline, powered by CSD’s Join Direct division, is staffed by a workforce of Deaf brokers who’re fluent in ASL and skilled to supply Austinites with probably the most up-to-date well being info and tips of their geographic space, reminiscent of face masks necessities and vaccine places close to them. By straight connecting Deaf callers with skilled Deaf brokers as a substitute of randomized, untrained Video Relay interpreters, the hotline helps curb confusion and misinformation.

“I typically get calls from people who find themselves very involved about not understanding what is occurring as a result of statistics and knowledge are so overwhelming,” mentioned one COVID-19 Hotline consultant. “After offering help in ASL, I can see that individuals are feeling relieved and safer by having extra correct info to guard themselves.”

Join Direct lately launched an identical ASL-based hotline in Minnesota in March 2022, and one other hotline within the State of Virginia in April 2021. Over a four-month interval, Virginia’s hotline brokers dealt with greater than 500 calls from Deaf Virginians searching for accessible coronavirus info.

“Our free hotline offers Deaf Austinites a useful resource the place they’ll comfortably ask questions on any COVID-19 points or considerations they could have by speaking one-on-one and of their native language,” mentioned Craig J. Radford, CSD’s Vice President of Rising Markets. “For ASL customers, this permits equal entry to vital info throughout this persevering with international pandemic, which might relieve confusion, stress, and fear.”

Anybody could contact the Austin ASL Now hotline in one among two methods:

Hotline brokers can be found Monday by Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.

CSD’s Austin hotline brokers can even be internet hosting a sales space on the first ever Austin Deaf Authors Guide Competition, scheduled Could 6-7, 2022. The pageant shall be held on the Texas Faculty for the Deaf situated at 1102 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX. Anybody is welcome to attend.

CSD and the Join Direct Austin ASL Now hotline usually are not medical organizations. Hotline brokers usually are not medical professionals, nor do they supply medical recommendation.

About Communication Service for the Deaf 
Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the biggest Deaf-led social affect group on this planet. For greater than 4 a long time, CSD has been a pacesetter in creating and offering accessible and revolutionary options for the Deaf neighborhood. Right now, CSD continues its work to create alternatives for private and financial progress inside the Deaf neighborhood, particularly addressing management and employment. For extra info, please go to CSD and comply with us on Fb, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Join Direct
Since 2017, Join Direct has been the main supplier of revolutionary name middle options for speaking straight with Deaf clients in American Signal Language. Providing cutting-edge customer support by Join Direct decreases buyer frustration and opens the door to a brand new market of loyal purchasers. This experience offers a useful, time-saving answer for companies, clients, and representatives alike. To study extra, go to Join Direct, discover our media package, and comply with us on Fb, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Leila Eltouny
[email protected]

SOURCE Communication Service For The Deaf, Inc