Deaf-owned company pitches QR-based interpreter access for Austin

Joseph Tsai, representing Convo Communications, told the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday that his deaf-owned company offers a QR-code product, Convo Access, that would allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to summon an interpreter on-demand via a smartphone.

"It's called Convo Access, and it's a special program that means all deaf people who live in the Austin area, they can access an interpreter through our services instantly when they need to talk with, let's say, a city employee, for example, or at the library, or with a police officer, a firefighter," Tsai said. He said the system is already used in New York City subway stations.

Chair Kelly asked Tsai to send contact information to committee staff so the city could follow up. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Gabriel (spoken as Gabriel in the transcript) asked that the committee consider recommending the service more broadly: "I would really like to move to have that service available throughout the city of Austin. It's a very great service and would be beneficial for us," he said, requesting the item be placed on a future agenda.

Committee staff indicated they would work with Convo Communications to collect materials and explore next steps with the appropriate city offices. The committee did not take a formal vote on adopting the service during the meeting.