Restricting VRI in the UK

The organization that regulates communication in the UK is proposing free video relay service for the deaf - but only for a half-hour a month - and only during the regular business hours of 9 to 5 weekdays. Ofcom (Office of Communications) released the findings of a survey this summer showing the service is needed for those who use British Sign Language. But it will takes months before a decision is made about how to offer it. In the meantime, a few deaf people will get the chance to try out a pilot program funded in part by the European Commission called myFriend from today until June 2012. It will allow video relay calls for up to four hours a day.