CITROEN RALLIES TO THE HARD OF HEARING

CITROEN has become the first carmaker in the UK to give deaf and hearing-impaired customers the opportunity to communicate in its 190 showrooms and service centres using British Sign Language (BSL).

The company is offering them freeof-charge access via a computer tablet to online sign language specialists SignLive if they want to buy a car or book a service.

Citroen said: ‘There are 11 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, and over 150,000 British Sign Language users — Citroen is aware that English is not the first language for many of its customers.’

Citroen UK managing director Eurig Druce said: ‘By partnering with SignLive, we once again demonstrate how our customers inspire our thoughts and actions as we improve the way we serve deaf and hard of hearing people. It will transform the car-buying process for thousands of motorists.’

‘Each one of our retailers now uses SignLive, making our network premises more accessible and inclusive.’ Amanda

Casson-Webb, joint CEO of the Royal Association for Deaf people, welcomed the announcement, adding: ‘This is great news and a positive step in ensuring that the deaf community will have the same opportunity and car-buying experience as hearing people.’

SignLive CEO Joel Kellhofer said: ‘The process of purchasing a car has, up until now, been inaccessible for the deaf community, with retail experiences on the whole a regular challenge for deaf and hard of hearing people.

‘We’re delighted to support Citroen and all of its dealerships throughout the UK in making this massive change.’