Staten Islanders Who Use Sign Language Can Now Communicate At Spectrum Stores With Customer Service Specialists With Virtual ASL Service

SPECTRUM LAUNCHES VIRTUAL AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICE AT 20 STORES IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA

 

Service Provides On-Demand ASL Interpretation Allowing for Better Two-Way Communication between Deaf Customers and Store Specialists

Editor’s note: A new form of rap is emerging, by deaf artists using American Sign Language, called DipHop.

The following statement was provided from a Spectrum spokesperson in response to our question: Would your company like to provide a statement for our readers on why this is important and about how many Spectrum customers will be helped by this program? 

A: “Spectrum is here to serve all of our customers. There is a large Deaf population in New York City with sign language among the many languages used here. By offering the virtual ASL service, we want customers to feel comfortable in communicating with us and know that they will experience a more efficient and smoother interaction with our store specialists.”

 

Spectrum also provided the following quote from Sorenson, maker of the platform and other language products:

“We are beyond pleased to work with Spectrum to help deliver better accessibility to communication for Deaf people in the New York City region,” said Paget Alves, CEO of Sorenson. “We know these are critical services for Deaf customers, and we applaud Spectrum for their decision to better serve these valuable customers. Sorenson looks forward to a continued partnership as we work together to serve the Deaf community well into the future.”

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Spectrum announced the launch of a virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting service at 20 Spectrum stores across the New York City area. The ASL service offers Deaf customers a better communication experience with store specialists and interpreters through their personal device.

To access the service, Spectrum customers scan a QR code on display at participating stores through a smartphone or tablet to virtually connect with an interpreter, who will facilitate the conversation between the customer and store specialist in real time.

“As a leader in providing accessible products and services for customers with disabilities, the virtual ASL interpreting service offers Deaf customers a more efficient and smoother interaction with our store specialists,” said Steven Raymond, Vice President of Accessibility for Spectrum. “With a large Deaf population in New York City and sign language among the many languages used here, it was a natural next step to expand the service here, ensuring our customers have access for a seamless Spectrum experience. This service is another example of how we’re always improving by listening to customer feedback and remain dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences.”

Spectrum partnered with Sorenson Communications to roll out the virtual ASL interpreting service throughout the New York City area. Sorenson is a leading global language services provider and strives to increase accessibility through communication solutions for all. The company provides call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services.

Both Sorenson and Spectrum were named to the “Accessibility 100,” a new list from Forbes acknowledging the biggest innovators and impact-makers in the accessibility field. Spectrum was also recognized with the American Foundation for the Blind’s 2023 Hellen Keller Achievement Award. These achievements highlight the work by Spectrum’s Accessibility Center of Excellence team, who developed and launched the free Spectrum Access App providing individuals with visual and auditory impairments audio description and closed captioning for more than 800 movie and TV titles.

Spectrum held a celebratory event on July 8 at its flagship store at 43 West 23^rd Street in Manhattan. Special guests included Patrick Longood, Spectrum’s Group Vice President of Stores, and Patty Bullington, Spectrum’s Director of Accessibility.

Spectrum first launched a successful pilot of the virtual ASL interpreting service at four stores in Rochester, NY, in 2024. The virtual ASL interpreting service will be available at the following Spectrum stores:

 

Brooklyn

• Bay Ridge – 531 86th Street
• Downtown Brooklyn – 523 Fulton Street
• Park Slope – 522 5th Avenue
• Williamsburg – 177 North 7th Street

 

Manhattan

• East Harlem – 1730 Lexington Avenue
• Flatiron – 43 West 23rd Street
• Harlem – 256-258 West 125th Street
• Lower East Side – 396 Grand Street
• Upper East Side – 1360 3rd Avenue
• Washington Heights – 4211 Broadway

 

Queens

• Astoria – 28-56 Steinway Street
• Astoria – 3101 23rd Avenue
• Bayside – 23-58A Bell Blvd
• Forest Hills – 71-40 Austin Street
• Jackson Heights – 37-35 & 37-39 82nd Street
• Jamaica – 164-10 Jamaica Avenue
• Springfield Gardens – 13456 Springfield Blvd

Staten Island

• New Springville – 2845 Richmond Avenue

Mount Vernon

• 701 N MacQuesten Parkway

 

New Jersey

• Fort Lee – 2040 Lemoine Avenue

 

About Spectrum  

Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator with services available to more than 57 million homes and businesses in 41 states. Over an advanced communications network, supported by a 100% US-based workforce, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

More information can be found at corporate.charter.com.

 

 

 

Banner Image: Spectrum launched a virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting service at 20 stores across NYC where customers can easily connect with an interpreter through their mobile phone on site. Image Credit – Spectrum