Media centre

Thursday 1 Apr 2021

Network Rail introduce new accessibility services to help deaf and blind passengers in the Southern region

Region & Route:

Southern: Sussex

| Southern

• SignLive enables deaf or hearing-impaired passengers to keep up to date with station announcements, no matter the time of day
• RoomMate is an electronic, wall mounted device that provides blind and visually impaired passengers with a bespoke audio description in an accessible toilet

Network Rail’s managed stations in the Southern region, are offering two new services to make the railway more inclusive. These services will benefit passengers who use British Sign Language (BSL) to help them keep up to date with station announcements, as well as blind and visually impaired passengers using the toilet facilities at stations.

The first innovation, SignLive is an around the clock sign language interpretation service. This will mean that deaf or hearing-impaired passengers can keep up to date with station announcements and safety information, no matter the time of day.

The second innovation, RoomMate is an electronic, wall mounted device that provides blind and visually impaired passengers with a bespoke audio description in an accessible toilet. Using RoomMate provides dignity and independence to those with sight impairments.

The stations offering SignLive and RoomMate services are:

• Clapham Junction
• Guildford
• London Bridge
• London Cannon Street
• London Charing Cross
• London Victoria
• London Waterloo

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail stations director, Southern region, said: “I’m delighted to introduce SignLive and RoomMate to all Southern region managed stations. Our organisation is committed to making stations open and accessible to all passengers. As more passengers return to the railway, coinciding with the lifting of lockdown restrictions, it’s essential we provide services that remove barriers to travel so that everyone feels welcome in our stations.”

Paul Lennon, Network Rail project manager, Customer Experience team, said: “Stations are the main point of contact for passengers and that is the time when deaf people like me want and need communication. In the past, I have missed station announcements like platform changes when travelling, so I suggested this as a way to help minimise frustrating things like this happening. SignLive will enable station colleagues to give good customer service to deaf passengers if they need assistance.”

Joel Kellhofer, chief executive officer, SignLive, said: “We are delighted to be working with Network Rail to provide BSL interpreting in some of the busiest stations in Britain. Deaf passengers will now have better access to information thanks to an easy way to communicate with members of Network Rail’s team via SignLive.”

Steve Holyer, co-director, easyAccessibility Ltd – the company behind RoomMate, said: “For those with no sight like me, RoomMate is an essential addition to the fixtures and fittings in an accessible toilet. Without this audio assistance, I lose independence and dignity. Network Rail has raised the bar in accessibility where before there was no help for people like me.”