MAG airports to offer British Sign Language interpreting for Deaf customers

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has joined forces with the online interpreting service, SignLive, to provide Deaf customers with interpretation in British Sign Language (BSL) when using and contacting it’s airports.

The new service enables customers at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, who want to communicate in BSL to connect via video with a certified interpreter who can provide two-way translation between the customer and an airport team member.

Customers can simply log on to the SignLive app on iOS, Android, or a web browser and find each airport listed in the Community Directory to use the service.

British Sign Language is a visual language using gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Sign Language is used mainly by Deaf people.

The introduction of SignLive is one of MAG’s many initiatives to become a more accessible airport group for everyone. The quality of assisted travel provision across the Group’s airports was rated as ‘good’ at Manchester Airport and ‘very good’ at London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) last reporting period for April-October 2022. East Midlands Airport was also voted Europe’s top-performing airport at The Ozion Accessibility Awards, which celebrated airports that have made a significant investment in the services they provide to passengers who need assistance.

All three of MAG’s airports have close collaborative relationships with their respective Accessibility Advisory groups – which are diverse groups of disabled people who advise the airport in areas like customer experience, training, monitoring, innovation and recruitment.

Mike Grimes, Director of Customer Services and Security at East Midlands Airport, and who led the implementation of the service across MAG, said:

“No one should encounter barriers to travel, which is why accessibility is at the forefront of our customer offer. We want all passengers to enjoy their experience of travelling through any MAG airport, so that no one feels excluded from accessing any of our services. We’re delighted to announce the introduction of the SignLive app, which will help our Deaf passengers.”