This app connects public transport riders to live ASL interpreters

Starting Monday, Metropolitan Transportation will make it easier for hearing impaired New Yorkers and tourists to communicate with transport by scanning QR codes. That code leads them to the app called Combo nowconnect them with live sign language interpreters to interact with MTA staff more easily and get answers to your questions.

The pilot program starts in more than 12 locations (listed below) to allow users to travel freely. QR codes are posted on a green sign in the window or booth to direct users to the live ASL interpreter of the Convo Now app, making it easier for MTA employees who don’t know that ASL will interact with more riders.

Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s Chief Accessibility Officer, says New York is the perfect location for this pilot program due to its large numbers of residents and tourists.

“Other transportation systems across North America don’t have a volume of over 6 million customers each day between trains, buses and railroads. “There are countless needs in its customer base. That’s the case study. That’s what makes it so important and influential.”

Transit staff can be found in the booth, on fare machines, or on platforms, depending on the day’s issues. Ideally, difficult transit riders who are deaf and listen to can find staff and communicate with them via combo interpreters.

Convo Now is one of a handful of services that seek to increase digital accessibility by leveraging mobile technology. Large high-tech companies are also attracting attention Expand their offerings In recent years, more and more users are now available Use AI to do so. For example, Google has expanded further Expressive caption To better convey your emotions and tone, Apple has improved Siri Detect atypical sounds better Amazon has been added Text-to-speech and caption features To Alexa. This is all part of our efforts to make the platform and services available to more people, and is more customizable and useful for everyone.

What is a combo?

Combo was founded as a video relay service nearly 15 years ago. This is a telephone service that allows deaf or deaf people to communicate using video. The company has since expanded to make ASL interpreters available on demand. iOS and Androidand websites, therefore users can communicate more effectively with people who don’t know ASL. Available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

The World Health Organization says there is more 1.5 billion people with global hearing loss. Additionally, more than 70 million people with hearing impairment or difficulties Use sign language According to National Geographic, they communicate.

Wayne Betts, co-founder of Convo, says the service removes hurdles for individuals to find interpreters and adjust availability. Instead, users can call any of the over 500 available interpreters at any time, whether it’s a five-minute exchange in the store or an hour-hour meeting at work.

“It can revolutionize how we use interpreters and tools in our daily lives,” Betts said.

Convo Now user Paul Maucere first downloaded the app four months ago, helping to alleviate the challenge of being the only deaf person in his office. He says it helps in a variety of situations, whether they are communicating with waitresses, hotel front desk clerks, or car salesmen. It is said that hearing impaired people are someone else and it is as easy to interact with others as everyday conversations.

Another user, who was asked to be called CT for privacy reasons, noted that on-demand interpretation services are particularly beneficial for clinical visits.

“When you go now for an appointment, you don’t need to call two weeks in advance to request an interpreter,” CT said. “There’s no need to call a day or two in advance to ensure that the office doesn’t forget that the interpreter has to cancel. They’re literally connected to a (skilled) interpreter in seconds.”

Take your combo to public transport now

Convo is now offered 20 free times a month to individual users, followed by a pay-as-you-go model (companies can also pay the cost of their employees). Meanwhile, the company’s partnership with MTA is part of a combo access service in which MTA pays a fixed annual rate. This means that users don’t have to worry about being charged for tapping ASL interpreter while purchasing an ASL interpreter. For example, train tickets.

Before launching the pilot program, the MTA and Combo conducted proof-of-concept at Times Square and 34th Avenue Penn Station, seeking feedback from the advisory board, advocacy groups and the NYC mayor’s office of disabled people. Arroyo said transit customers are actively involved in the service.

“We have to fact check and verify that the solutions we put there are things that people want to see,” he said.

The pilot program will be held from February 10th to November 2025. From there, the MTA measures user feedback and determines where to adopt the program.

Transit customers can access Convo services at:

NYC Transit Customer Service Center:

• 161 Street Yankee Stadium
• Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center
• Times Square 42 Street
• Jackson Heights – Roosevelt Avenue
• St. George

Long Island Railroad Road:

• Atlantic Terminal
• Babylon
• Grand Central Madison
• Jamaica
• Penn Station
• Rumbonki

Metro North Railway:

• Grand Central Terminal
• White plain

Additional location:

• Mobile sales operations (bus and vans)

• 3 Stone Street