What is the difference between text relay and video relay?
Text relay relies on written English messages to be exchanged between a deaf and hearing user via a text relay advisor. Text Relay calls typically can take longer than conventional calls as only one person normally speaks/types at a time – exchanges between the deaf and hearing user are designed to be as free-flowing as possible and near real-time, but as they I am a 999 BSL user are supported by the text relay advisor they normally take a bit longer (call charges are reduced to take account of this).
Video relay allows deaf people to make a video call in sign language. The interpreter voices what the deaf user says, in near to real time. The interpreter also relays in sign language what the hearing person says, in near real-time. The interpreter can easily manage the conversation to ensure everything is clear and free-flowing.