New York City: ASL Direct | Public Institutions

This compendium, prepared by the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), aims to capture emerging trends in digital responses of UN Member States against the COVID-19 pandemic along with other digital government initiatives and provide a preliminary analysis of their main features. These cases are shared for exchange of information so that Member States can learn from each other and possibly create new partnerships.

The City of New York introduced ASL Direct, a video call system that integrates the use of sign language, to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing residents with direct access to city services. Through the use of webcams, ASL Direct allows those who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with a specialist fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

Country

United States of America

Institution

City of New York