Expertise and Qualification
Our interpreters are extremely experienced and highly qualified, ensuring that your message is accurately conveyed.
Breaking Barriers, Empowering Communication
Providing Access
Every day, businesses share vital information in English – but for Deaf BSL users, this can create a barrier. QR-BSL Translation specialises in translating content into British Sign Language supporting you and your business to identify, understand and meet your legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure equal access for all.
About QR-BSL
We are passionate about breaking communication barriers and fostering inclusivity. We believe in empowering the Deaf community by providing comprehensive BSL interpreting and translation services. Our mission is to ensure that Deaf individuals can access written communication independently, eliminating the need for constant reliance on others. Our innovative service takes written communication and provides access in British Sign Language (BSL) through the power of QR codes.
Our Mission
We believe in harnessing technology to bridge communication gaps, fostering independence and promoting equality within the Deaf community. Join us in embracing a future where communication knows no boundaries.
Why Choose Us?
We’re experts in our field – knowledgeable, committed to excellence and passionate about ensuring Deaf people have the same access to information that hearing people take for granted.
Independence and Empowerment
We prioritise independence for Deaf individuals by providing accessible communication solutions in all settings.
Quality Assurance Standardisation
Our commitment to quality is reflected in our meticulous translation and back translation process, ensuring accuracy, consistency and reliability.
Our Services
We offer specialist Legal and Health QR-BSL Translation services or for another setting please use QR-BSL Translation.
QR-BSL Translation
English is not always accessible to British Sign Language users. We provide clear, accurate BSL translation for vital information in any setting.
QR-BSL Health
Providing independent easy access to NHS letters, leaflets, appointment and hospital information. Improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Deaf patients.
QR-BSL Legal
Providing Deaf clients with easily accessible, understandable and consistent translations of complex, technical legal terms and documentation.
About Us
QR-BSL Translation was borne out of a serendipitous meeting between Emma and Lyn. Having envisaged the potential of QR code to BSL translation they realised the untapped potential to provide better access to information for the Deaf community. By providing BSL translation within an easy and universal accessible QR code, better access can be achieved, providing consistent messages so barriers to information and understanding can be reduced whilst independence and equality maintained.
Lyn
Director, PhD, RSLI
Lyn is a Director and founder of QR-BSL Translation, and a qualified BSL interpreter with extensive experience in health and mental health settings. She holds a PhD in Psychology focussing on language and cognitive development in Deaf children and has worked for over two decades at the intersection of Deaf communication and mental health. Beginning her career as an assistant psychologist in the NHS supporting Deaf patients in a psychiatric inpatient unit, Lyn brings direct clinical insight into the barriers Deaf people face when accessing complex written English. She works daily with a wide range of Deaf clients in health and mental health contexts. Her expertise, alongside that of Emma (a qualified solicitor), ensures that QR-BSL Legal and QR-BSL Health provide high-quality, reliable, and legally accurate information that Deaf people can understand and access independently.
Emma
Director, LLB, TSLI
Emma is a Director and co-founder of QR-BSL Translation, a qualified solicitor (since 2006) and a TSLI BSL interpreter. Emma trained and qualified as a solicitor at a large London city law and became an in-house policy expert and then a compliance manager. Following a sabbatical to look after her young family, Emma became a legal, compliance and risk manager in the education sector and has significant experience advising charities and Trustee bodies on governance, legislative and regulatory provisions, legal risk and compliance topics. Emma works as an interpreter for a range of clients and events and wants to provide the Deaf community with clear, accurate and understandable translation and interpreting of legal documentation.
Promoting Inclusivity in Accordance with the Equality Act
We are committed to upholding the principles of inclusivity and accessibility. Our service aligns seamlessly with the Equality Act, ensuring that everyone has equal access to communication without discrimination.
How We Support Equality:
Bridging Communication Gaps
Our BSL translation service breaks down communication barriers, ensuring that Deaf individuals have equal access to written content.
Accessible Communication for All
The Equality Act emphasises the importance of making services accessible to everyone. By providing BSL translations through QR codes, we empower individuals to access information in a way that suits their needs.
Preventing Discrimination
Discrimination can occur when information is not readily available to all. Our service prevents discrimination by offering a universal solution for accessing content, promoting a more inclusive society.
Inclusive Communication Practices
In accordance with the Equality Act, our commitment to inclusive communication practices ensures that no one is left behind. BSL translations through QR codes contribute to a more inclusive and diverse community.
Equal Opportunity for Expression
Everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves, regardless of their preferred mode of communication. Our service ensures that written messages can be easily and accurately translated into BSL, fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is heard.
By choosing QR-BSL Translation you are not just accessing a service; you are contributing to a more inclusive and equal society. Join us in embracing diversity and breaking down barriers to communication.
General Process
If you have written communication that needs to be translated into British Sign Language (BSL), we’ve got you covered.
We translate almost any document you have, whether it is confidential legal documentation or an academic poster. For example, we translate:
- Legal documents such as Terms of Business, client letters, Conditional fee agreements
- Contracts
- Social service documents, Care Act assessments, Cognitive assessments
- NHS appointment letters, leaflets, bespoke diagnostic letters
- Emails
- Report cards, school newsletters, letters to parents, school information and consent forms
- Essays, academic posters
- Government information from the DWP, local councils
For specific translation processes and documents please click on an individual service – QR-BSL Legal or QR-BSL Health
Initial meeting
Initial meeting to discuss your requirements, including timescales, branding and overall aim of the translation.
Email the team
Email the team your written communication that requires translation into BSL.
Translate your material
Our interpreters and translators translate your material ensuring accuracy and cultural sensitivity.
BSL Video
The BSL video along with an optional ‘back translation’* is securely stored and a QR Code linking to the video is created
QR Code
Provide you with the QR code to seamlessly embed into your written communication.
If your document is ready to translate and you want to book QR-BSL Translation – Please get in touch for a detailed quote.
If you’re not sure of how we can translate your documentation or information, and you would like to discuss your project in more detail,please do get in touch.
FAQs
We’ve grouped together some of the most common questions we receive to help you quickly find the information you need. Whether you’re exploring our services, checking how we work, or looking for practical advice, this section is here to support you. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to help.
We provide free quotations but will need you to provide the text you want translated as well
The subject matter, or domain, of the content is important. The subject matter has a sphere of knowledge, jargon and social context that is domain specific. We aim to ensure that the translators are matched to their specific domains and there maybe a smaller pool of translators for a given topic. Highly specialised BSL translators may also charge more for their services.
All our packages are bespoke and the price shown on the website is for guidance only. You will need to send us through your information and files and we will then provide you with a full quote. Included in the cost are:
- Our meetings with you to discuss the aim of the project/ translation
- Localisation and brand identity
- An accessible/ Plain English version of the document, if required
- Video editing
- Legal package includes a full back translation of the original document, for other packages this is an extra charge
- Future revisions if information changes or a document is updated – depending on your package there may be an extra charge for this.
Hearing translations are usually charged per word. With British Sign Language it is a little different as we are unable to translate word for word. That is why we charge per page and per word but also per level of difficulty. Something as simple as an appointment letter does not require the same level of preparation, research and time as one detailing specific legal instructions.
Yes. We will work with you to ensure that all videos are consistent with your logo and branding.
Forward translation: English to BSL
Back translation: English to BSL to English
The two English text documents are compared to ensure clarity and meaning. This step also acts as quality assurance and control. Back translations are offered as standard in the QR-BSL Legal package and as an additional cost for all other packages.
We can translate documents, letters, leaflets in any area or field. We specialise in the following fields: Legal, Mental Health, Medical/ Health and Social care and Government information as well as any general translation for example school letters, newsletters, museum information, academic posters.
We only work with qualified interpreters and translators and try to ensure that they have experience within the chosen area. We have in house translators who are qualified solicitors and mental health experts as well other external specialists. We aim to use Deaf translators at every opportunity.
Certainly, however, there may be additional costs or time delays depending on the person’s schedule.
Time taken will depend on the package you choose as the processes are slightly different and some parts may take longer than others. For example, a single page, 250 word, basic letter with no back translation and no video editing may take as little as a 48hrs but a 4 page, 1200 word, legal document with video editing may take up to 2 weeks. Time frames and schedules will be agreed during the initial meeting.
“We use QR – BSL Translation to enable our staff to independently access documents and information that might be private or personal such as contracts, letters about wages and so on. They offer a really quick turnaround service and we’re able to personalise the layout with our logos. Being a Deaf led business it’s important that we breakdown barriers as much as possible and QR-BSL Translation helps us do that.”