Frequently Asked Questions

Signect is a communication access platform that connects Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients with independent communication professionals, including BSL interpreters, Deaf interpreters, CSWs, lipspeakers, captioners and notetakers across the UK.

Signect is for people who need communication support and for communication professionals who want a simple, independent way to find and manage bookings.

Requesting support and browsing opportunities is free. Joining Signect as a professional is also free, with no cost to register or create your profile.

Signect currently operates UK-wide, connecting clients and professionals across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use Request Support to describe what you need in your own words. Signect asks for any missing details, then shows you a summary to check before you submit.

Signect reviews your request, keeps you updated in your client portal, and coordinates a suitable communication professional for the booking.

Yes. Bookings that haven't yet been assigned to a professional can be cancelled instantly from your client portal. Once a professional has been assigned, you can request cancellation and Signect will confirm it with you directly.

Yes. Once a booking is confirmed, you can securely upload and share relevant documents with your assigned professional directly from your client portal.

Yes. Every booking has a secure message thread with Signect, and once a professional is assigned you can message them there too. For privacy, professionals and clients don't message each other directly outside of a booking. Signect is always part of the conversation.

Yes. Your client portal shows the current status of each booking, from submission through review and assignment to completion.

Use Join Signect to enter your name, email, professional types and area covered. Follow the email link to verify your address, create a password and continue to your professional profile. Registration is free.

When booking opportunities become available, matching requests will appear in your professional portal. You can decide whether to respond; registering does not commit you to a booking.

From your dashboard, open an opportunity and let Signect know whether you're interested, not available, or need more information.

Once you're assigned to a booking, the Documents section of that booking lets you securely upload and view any relevant files shared with you.

Every assignment has its own secure message thread where you can reach Signect directly, and message the client once you're assigned to their booking.

Yes. Signect is Deaf-led, built by and with the Deaf community to reflect real needs, not assumptions about them.

Accessibility guides Signect's design. We aim for clear navigation, readable content and keyboard access, and welcome feedback if anything is difficult to use.

Yes. Supporting BSL users is central to what Signect exists for: connecting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people with the communication professionals they need, including BSL interpreters.

Yes. Signect is growing, and more communication support services and features are planned as the platform develops.