About VRS

SADeaf Video Relay Service (VRS) allows Deaf people to make phone calls, e.g. to banks, telcos or other businesses, customer service hotlines, hospitals, through a sign language interpreter, using video calls.

If a VRS interpreter asked you to call us back, please click here for further instructions.

How It Works

1. Register before making a call.
2. Connect to VRS or book a timeslot for a call, on this page. You may need to provide your information, including the phone number you want to call.
3. After connecting to VRS, an interpreter will come on the video call and then make a telephone call to the service, hotline or phone number you wish to reach.
4. The interpreter will communicate your message to the hearing person at the service, hotline or phone number you wish to reach, and vice versa, all in real-time.
5. After using the service, you give us feedback so we can keep improving the service.

Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Except Eves of Public Holidays & Public Holidays

Use VRS

Please make sure to register before making a call.
For best experience, please use a laptop or computer with a webcam and an internet connection.

FAQs

Who is VRS for?

• Deaf Individuals that use Singapore Sign Language (SgSL): To communicate with hearing people, e.g. banks and other businesses, customer service hotlines, hospitals.

How to get started?

1. Sign up: Register for VRS.
2. Equipment: Ensure you have a laptop or handphone with a camera and internet connection. You need to allow camera access when you connect to an interpreter.
3. Start using VRS: Connect to an interpreter with the buttons on this page.

What can you use VRS for?

• Customer service calls to government agencies, banks, utilities, and other such services.
• Making appointments, inquiries, and other routine communications.
• Professional calls to colleagues or business contacts.
• Personal calls to friends and family.

What can’t you use VRS for?

• Emergency calls to 995 or other emergency services – the Police emergency SMS number is 70999 and the SCDF emergency SMS number is 70995. 
• Calls that require third-party billing or involve financial transactions beyond customer service inquiries.
• Illegal activities or calls that violate laws and regulations.
• Calling interpreters for advice or casual chat.

What to do if you receive a call from a VRS interpreter?

• The VRS interpreter will provide a short greeting message to help you understand how the call works.
• Speak to the deaf caller as per normal. The interpreter would provide sign language interpretation in both directions seamlessly.
• As interpretation has a lag time, please expect pauses in speech and delays in responses. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Is VRS free? 

• At the moment, VRS is provided free to Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

Interpreter’s Confidentiality Notice

• Our Sign Language Interpreters strictly respect the privacy and confidentiality of our clients.
• Your VRS call is not recorded. Any content, personal data or information shared during a VRS call is not kept, stored or recorded.
• During some types of calls, you may be asked to share personal data with the third-party agent (such as a government or customer service hotline). This information will only be used for the purposes of the call, and will not be kept, stored or recorded.

Data Protection Policy

• You may be asked to provide your personal data for the purposes of enabling SADeaf to offer its services efficiently and effectively and in accordance with SADeaf Data Protection Policy and the Personal Data Protection Act.
• You can find the full policy at https://sadeaf.org.sg/about-us/data-protection-policy/.

Legal Notice

By using the SADeaf Video Relay Service (VRS), you acknowledge and agree that the service is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. SADeaf makes no warranties regarding the operation, availability, or quality of the service, including but not limited to the accuracy of interpretation provided. SADeaf is not liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from your use of the VRS or reliance on the interpreted information.

The transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we will strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to or through us, and it is at your own risk. We will, however, use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Users are responsible for the accuracy of the information they share and must use the service lawfully. 

Please note that the VRS is not intended for emergency communications; for emergencies, send an SMS to 70999 for Police assistance or 70995 for SCDF services.

For any questions or concerns, please contact us at vrs@sadeaf.org.sg.

Contact Us

After using the service, you give us feedback by submitting our Feedback Form so we can keep improving the service.
If you have any questions or comments, send us an email at vrs@sadeaf.org.sg.