{"id":324623,"date":"2025-04-03T09:33:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T08:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/?p=324623"},"modified":"2025-04-03T09:38:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T08:38:27","slug":"c2c-trials-interactive-british-sign-language-screens-for-deaf-passengers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/media-centre\/latest-news\/c2c-trials-interactive-british-sign-language-screens-for-deaf-passengers\/","title":{"rendered":"c2c trials interactive British Sign Language screens for deaf passengers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local rail company Trenitalia c2c has announced it is\u00a0<\/span>installing British Sign Language (BSL) screens at locations across the route to provide the latest, up-to-date passenger information for customers, fostering a more accessible environment on the railway.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The trial consists of BSL totems at Fenchurch Street and Southend Central stations which, if successful, could be rolled out to further stations after the three-month trial.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The trial of BSL totems is designed to give customers greater confidence to travel with c2c, with the default display set to playing upcoming departures in sign language. As the totems are interactive, there is the opportunity for customers to use the journey planner, check onward travel from the station and see the local area maps with places of interest. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

c2c Accessibility and Integrated Travel Manager,<\/span>\u00a0Steve Scutt, said: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom research, 40 per cent of d\/Deaf people whose first, or preferred language is BSL, don’t feel confident using the train.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\u201cThere is a common misconception that all d\/Deaf people can read, write or understand text based or written information but for most Deaf people who are sign language users and have been deaf all of their lives, English is a second language and as such they may have a limited ability to read, write or understand the text or written information displayed to them.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cWe are proud to have installed these screens, which will give customers who use BSL real-time departure information and allow them to travel with confidence.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The new totems are pre-loaded with standard messaging and timetable information and are also interactive in providing customers with information during periods of unexpected disruption.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The screens also offer journey planning and onward travel functionality, meaning that customers can view local area maps and the next direct trains. An NFC (near field communication) pad on the side of the totem also allows customers to wirelessly transfer information to their phone or device by touching the pad, meaning that the benefit of the machines extends far beyond the station concourse.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Additionally, c2c has also installed the \u2018Recite Me\u2019 assistive toolbar to make its website more accessible and inclusive to all. This can be found at\u00a0<\/span>www.c2c-online.co.uk<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The tool is a web-friendly solution, which provides a range of tools that help users navigate, read and interact with web content more effectively. This includes customers who may have decreased vision, speak or read English as a second language or have a learning difficulty.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Customers simply click on the \u2018accessibility tools\u2019 button at the top of the c2c website and the text-to-speech software will help understand the digital content by reading aloud website text.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n