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.

Yui is Signect’s AI-assisted request assistant. You can describe the communication support you need in your own words, and Yui helps organise the details before you review and submit your request.

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. Yui helps organise the key details, including support type, date, time and location, before you review and submit the request to Signect.

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 live status of every booking, from submitted, through review and assignment, to completion, so you always know where things stand.

Register your interest through the "Join Signect" page with your details, qualifications and the roles you cover. Once your account is set up you can complete your full profile and start receiving opportunities.

No. Joining Signect and creating your professional profile is completely free.

Matching opportunities appear in your professional dashboard as they come in. You're in full control, and Signect never books you without your response.

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 is a core design principle at Signect, not an afterthought. The site is built to meet WCAG AA standards, with clear navigation, sufficient colour contrast, and full keyboard support throughout.

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.