Interpretation & Translation News & Resources | LanguageLine UK Blog

CASE STUDY: Vancouver Airport Uses Video Interpreting to Assist Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Written by The LanguageLine Solutions Team | December 24, 2019

Vancouver International is the second busiest airport in Canada, second only to Toronto. Nearly 26 million passengers from around the world came through its terminals last year.

It is often described as a trans-Pacific hub, with more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe.

Vancouver International has long placed a priority on what it calls “accessibility initiatives.” These initiatives have for several years included offering LanguageLine on-demand phone interpretation in more than 240 languages throughout its terminals.

Vancouver International recently launched a new service: LanguageLine one-touch, real-time video interpretation, which is available in 37 languages, including American Sign Language.

The on-demand video remote interpreting (VRI) service can be requested through the airport’s frontline staff.

In an announcement, the airport said, “(Video interpreting) complements the existing LanguageLine audio interpreting and allows us to better serve passengers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It supports Vancouver International’s goal of greater accessibility by making the airport a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.”