New Sign Language service at Clearwater Mall supports deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers

A new on-demand sign language interpreting service is giving deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers easier access to communication at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg’s West Rand.

The service, offered in partnership with CONVO South Africa, allows shoppers to connect instantly with qualified South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters via QR codes located at information points and customer service desks throughout the mall.

The initiative comes after research highlighted a significant deaf community in the area, with many shoppers previously facing barriers when interacting with retail staff. By scanning a QR code, users can connect with interpreters through video call, with support available in SASL, English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Sesotho.

“We’re here to serve our whole community and that means responding by taking action when we can do better,” said Prianka Singh Rodgers, marketing manager at Clearwater Mall. “CONVO means that we are removing a communication barrier.”

Chelsea Williamson, General Manager at CONVO South Africa, highlighted the importance of accessible communication in public spaces. “Clearwater Mall understands that accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have feature. When deaf customers can communicate freely with staff, everyone benefits.”

CONVO South Africa, a Deaf-owned and Deaf-led company launched in 2022, has been recognised at the Pan South African Language Board’s Multilingualism Awards in the Technology and Business category. With an estimated 4 million South Africans who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, services like this address a long-standing need in the retail sector.

Mall staff have been trained to assist shoppers using the technology, helping to ensure a smooth experience from the outset.