This App Connects Public Transit Riders to Live ASL Interpreters
Starting Monday, the Metropolitan Transportation Administration will make it easier for deaf and hearing-impaired New Yorkers and visitors to communicate with transporters by scanning QR codes. The code will bring them into an application called NowThis will connect them with live sign language interpreters so that they can more easily interact with MTA employees and get answers to any questions.
The pilot program will be launched in more than a dozen locations (listed below) and will be available for shipping users for free. The QR code will be posted on the green sign on the window or booth and will direct the user to the live ASL interpreter in the Convo Now app, which makes it easier for MTA employees who may not know about ASL to interact with more riders.
MTA’s chief visiting officer Quemuel Arroyo said New York is an ideal place for the pilot program because of the large number of residents and visitors.
“All any other transit system in North America doesn’t have the number of more than 6 million customers we have every day between trains, buses, railroads, and we are serving everyone,” Arroyo said. “There are countless customer bases Demand, that’s what makes this case study so important and influential.”
Depending on the issue of the day, transit personnel can be found on the stall, fare machine or platform. Ideally, a deaf and hearing traffic rider could find a staff member and communicate with them through a Convo interpreter.
Convo is now one of the few services that hope to improve digital accessibility by leveraging mobile technology. Large tech companies also focus on Expand their products In recent years, more and more users have been Do this with AI. For example, Google launches more Expression title To better convey emotions and tone, Apple has improved Siri to Better detection of atypical voice Amazon added Text-to-voice and subtitle functions Go to Alexa. This is all part of the effort to provide a platform and service to more people – customization and help for everyone.
What is conco?
Founded about 15 years ago, Convo is a video relay service, a telephone service that allows deaf people to use video for deaf and dumb voices. The company then expanded to 24/7 that makes ASL interpreters available through the Convo Now app (available in ios and Android) and websites so users can communicate more effectively with people who may not know ASL. It is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
The World Health Organization says more than 1.5 billion people suffering from hearing loss worldwide. In addition, more than 70 million people with deafness or hearing impairment Use sign language Communication based on national geography.
Convo co-founder Wayne Betts said the service removes barriers to individuals seeking interpreters and coordinating their availability. Instead, users can call one of the 500+ interpreters available at any time, whether it’s a 5-minute exchange at the store or a one-hour working meeting.
“It really allows us to completely change how we use interpreters and tools in our daily lives,” Bates said.
Convo user Paul Maucer first downloaded the app four months ago to help alleviate the challenge of becoming the only deaf employee in his office. He said that in various situations, it helps:
Another user asked to be called CT pointed out that on-demand interpreter services are particularly beneficial for clinic visits.
“When we go on dates now, we don’t have to call for an interpreter two weeks ago,” CT said. “We don’t have to call a day or two to make sure the office hasn’t forgotten to let us know that the interpreter has to cancel. We show up, Connect to office Wi-Fi and scan the QR code to literally connect to the (skilled) interpreter within seconds.”
Take Convo to public transportation now
Convo now offers individual users a 20-minute free user per month, then a paid paid model (businesses can also bear the expenses of their employees). On the other hand, the company’s partnership with MTA is part of its Convo Access service, where MTA pays a fixed annual tax rate – meaning users don’t have to worry about being charged when purchasing an ASL interpreter. For example, train tickets.
Prior to launching the pilot program, the MTA and CONC conducted proof of concepts at Times Square and 34th Street, Pennsylvania and sought input from advisory committees, advocacy organizations, and the Office of the Disabled Persons in the New York City Mayor’s Office, all of which proved the program goal. Arroyo said bus customers are actively involved in the service.
“We have to fact check and verify that the solutions we are providing are what people want to see,” he said.
The pilot is scheduled to be from February 10 to November 2025. From there, the MTA will measure user feedback and decide where to participate in the program.
Bus customers can access Convo’s services at the following locations.
New York City Transportation Customer Service Center:
- 161 Street-Yankee Stadium
- Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center
- Times Square 42 Street
- Jackson Heights – Roosevelt Avenue
- St. George
Long Island Railway:
- Atlantic Pier
- Babylon
- Madison Central
- Jamaica
- Pennsylvania Station
- Rumbononki
Metro-North Railway:
- Grand Central Terminal
- White plain
Other locations:
- Mobile Sales Operations (Bus and Trucks)
-
3 Stone Street
