VDH expands vaccine call center to provide ASL capabilities

The Virginia Department of Health is expanding its Vaccinate Virginia Call Center to serve deaf residents who use American Sign Language. The agency has partnered with Connect Direct to provide support in ASL through the hotline during standard operational hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

ASL users have two ways to connect to this service, by videophone at 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682) or by clicking the “ASL Now” button at vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Virginia is the first state to provide real-time ASL support for COVID-19 and vaccine information, according to VDH officials. Callers can connect directly with ASL-fluent representatives via videophone or webcam and ask questions to get clarification on an array of issues and concerns related to COVID-19 vaccine, all in their primary language.

The service uses deaf employees, including several recently-hired deaf Virginians, who are fluent in ASL and trained to provide important information about coronavirus.

“Deaf people using video interpreters may not always have effective communication when making phone calls through the Video Relay Service,” said Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing director Eric Raff. “I am pleased that VDDHH was able to work with VDH to ensure Deaf people can directly call Vaccinate Virginia and get crucial and accurate information to protect their health during this pandemic.”