Sign Language and Associated Services

Descriptions

The Contractor will provide Sign Language Interpretation and associated services. The objective of this Contract is to enable people living in Scotland who are hard of hearing, D/deaf or Deafblind, or who have other communication support needs, to engage with the Scottish Parliament and participate meaningfully in parliamentary business, public engagement activities and events. The Contractor will work cooperatively with the SPCB to find a solution to all SPCB sign language requirements. As a minimum, the Contractor will provide the following Services: - BSL interpreting of First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) which are broadcast live and shown to visitors within the Chamber gallery and Main Hall; BSL interpreting of other Parliamentary business, which may also be filmed or broadcast either live or later. - Interpreting for Scottish Parliament events, including ceremonial events such as the opening of Parliament or engagement events such as the Festival of Politics. Some of these events will also be filmed, broadcast and archived. - Interpreting and/or other communication support services for witnesses giving evidence to committees - Interpreting and/or other communication support services for participants in engagement activities including workshops, focus groups, educational sessions, tours, and meetings - Interpreting and/or other communication support services for visitors to the Scottish Parliament accessing parliamentary services and facilities. Most requirements are expected to be for interpreting for English to/from British Sign Language. The Contractor must also provide other sign languages or supporting services as required. Additional sign languages and communication support services which will be in scope of the Contract, include, but are not limited to: - Tactile BSL - Electronic Notetakers - Speech-to-text reporters - Lip speakers - Signalong (Sign-a-long) - Sign Supported English - International sign languages such as American Sign Language. It is understood this may require the Contractor to work with Sub-Contractors or freelancers who don’t usually work in Scotland on occasion; all such requirements will be discussed with the Contractor as required. Parliamentary business and major events will normally be filmed and broadcast live on SPTV. Footage is subsequently made available through the Video Archive on SPTV and posted on the Parliament’s YouTube channel. Some requirements may also be broadcast by external broadcasters. Filmed parliamentary business and events that include BSL interpreting will also be posted on the Parliament’s BSL Facebook Group and shared through other social media channels. Requirements for live interpreting of parliamentary business which is broadcast will always be in BSL and are expected to be the main requirement of the Contract. The Contractor must be able to provide this Service to a high standard.