You may have seen it on our socials. We partnered with Walmart, a Fortune 500 company that now has Deaf reps ready to answer your VP calls in ASL. Getting customer support from a major store can be a headache while using TRS and VRS. For years, calling customer service at a big company meant going through a third-party interpreter who do not know the company, its products, or its policies. When the company's rep receives a VRS call from a Deaf customer, the communication lag often leaves them confused, even suspicious. Deaf customers end up feeling frustrated having to explain the call process just to get help. And sometimes, the rep hangs up.
That's because customer service was never built for Deaf and Hard of Hearing shoppers. It was all speech and audio-based from the company's end, not for people who communicate visually, video-to-video.
Now, thanks to this partnership, Deaf customers have direct access, sign language to sign language. Walmart hired actual Deaf customer service representatives, people who share the same language and experience as the shoppers they serve.
If you're a Deaf or Hard of Hearing customer, here's how it works: use your VP number to call 1-800-925-6278 and you're connected directly with an ASL-fluent Walmart rep. It's that simple.
Walmart leveling up like this is a big deal for the entire Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The more Fortune 500 companies commit to hiring Deaf reps, the more normal it becomes. We are excited for what comes next. Stay tuned.
To learn more, visit csdaccess.com.
