Apps and services

Relay UK is a text relay service which helps deaf and hearing people communicate with each other over the phone. Relay UK uses remote assistants who type out what a hearing person says for the deaf person to read. They will also speak out what a deaf person types.

Deaf young people can use Relay UK to call anybody, and the person receiving the call doesn't need to have Relay UK installed. All national phone companies work with Relay UK, so calls are charged at the same rate as standard phone calls.

Relay UK is a convenient way for deaf young people to make important calls, including to emergency services, via a designated number.

For more information, visit the Relay UK website.

Video relay services allow deaf people to use sign language to communicate with hearing people over the phone. A sign language interpreter connects through video and relays the conversation in real time.

Video relay services can be used to contact some organisations for free, such as banks and public services, through a directory of registered services. However, for making other types of calls, users will need to pay for this themselves or use Access to Work or direct payments (GOV.UK).

Examples of video relay services include:

• InterpretersLive!
• SignLive
• SignVideo
• SignWow

Please only use the services below for genuine emergencies.

• 999 BSL: A video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users to communicate with emergency services through a qualified interpreter. Available through the free app or website. Visit the 999 BSL website for more info.
• emergencySMS: Allows deaf and speech-impaired people to text the UK 999 service, which relays the message to emergency services. You must register your phone number before use. Visit the emergencySMS website for more info.
• TapSOS: A free app that connects users to UK emergency services without speaking. They just need to tap icons to report an emergency and get help. You must sign up and create a profile before use. Visit the TapSOS website for more info.

Captioning turns audio into text, making it more accessible for deaf people. It can be used for audio, videos and phone calls. RNID have produced guidelines to using video captions on social media.

Most phones have built-in software that can turn audio into captions.

• Android phones: Live Caption
• Apple iPhones: Live Captions

Speech-to-text apps use voice recognition to transcribe spoken words into text, helping deaf people follow conversations. However, the accuracy of these apps depends on how clearly the person speaks, background noise, and internet connection. There are many speech-to-text apps available, and most phones have built-in transcription software.

• Android phones: Live Transcribe
• Apple iPhones: Live Captions

Music identifying apps use the phone’s microphone to recognise songs playing nearby, such as on the radio or in the background. Some apps show the lyrics in real time, so deaf people can follow along and learn the words. There are various music identifying apps available, including Shazam and SoundHound.

The digital assistants on phones can also help to identify music.

• Android phones: Google Assistant
• Apple iPhones: Siri

Haptics are a feature in some Apple iPhones which can be turned on to create vibrations and taps that play along with music. Find out more about Music Haptics (Apple).