Video relay for 999 emergencies

Ofcom consulted on introducing emergency video relay. This would allow British Sign Language users to contact the police, ambulance and fire services in BSL.

Many people, including deaf people and telecoms companies, told us they supported the idea. However, some issues arose so we ran a short further consultation, and made a BSL video about it.

Ofcom has now decided to introduce emergency video relay. We have published a statement and accompanying BSL video. The full statement document is available.

Emergency video relay – statement

Transcript for BSL video – emergency video relay statement (PDF, 83.3 KB)

Emergency video relay –  further consultation

You can read a transcript (PDF, 171.6 KB) of this video.

Here are the three short videos we made about the previous consultation.

1. We want to hear what you think of our proposal for video relay for 999 emergencies

2. How video relay for 999 emergencies would work

3. Two stories about Deaf people in 999 emergencies

You can also read a transcript (PDF, 152.4 KB) of the three videos.

Contact information

If you have any questions please get in touch with us. The email address is emergencyBSL@ofcom.org.uk. You can call us via text relay on 020 7783 4079, or via video relay.