A few weeks ago, we had severe weather — hail, pouring rain, and even a tornado warning. Many homes in the area had flooded basements because their sump pumps stopped working when the power went out. That got me thinking about home systems and accessibility.
It reminded me of when we needed to replace our old gas-powered boiler. It wasn’t up to code, had asbestos, and the emissions made the basement unsafe for my family. We reached out to a couple of HVAC companies for quotes. When their reps came to our house, it was the first time I tried VRI On-Demand services.
At the time, it was still a pilot project using U.S.-based interpreters. It was incredibly convenient — no need to pre-book an interpreter. When the reps arrived (often within a wide time window), I could simply connect instantly on the device. I was able to understand the product presentations, ask questions, and make informed decisions.
That firsthand experience showed me how powerful on-demand interpreting can be for Deaf Canadians. We already have Canada VRS (free for Deaf callers, funded by the CRTC), but VRI On-Demand is different — it’s typically paid for by businesses, organizations, or healthcare providers when serving customers.
While some VRI On-Demand services exist now, many still rely heavily on non-Canadian interpreters or mixed pools. True accessibility means having reliable Canadian ASL/LSQ interpreters available when needed.
If you’ve used VRI On-Demand at home, work, or in public — or if this is something you’d like to see more widely available — let me know in the comments!
What about you? Have you had a positive experience with on-demand interpreting or another accessibility tool that made life easier? Share your story below.
See you tomorrow for Day 4!