Kela to test speech-to-text interpretation in the remote service of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled 

Kela will test a model where services and remote interpretation will be available through speech-to-text interpretation in the remote service of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled. The aim is to investigate how well-suited speech-to-text interpretation is for the remote service.   

Starting 7 November 2023, it will be possible to get service and handle short interpretation assignments through speech-to-text interpretation in the remote service of Kela’s Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled. Previously, remote service and remote interpretation has been available in the Finnish sign language. The test will last for about six months.

The remote service of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled is an on-call service. The customer can for instance book an interpreter, call Kela’s customer service together with the interpreter or handle issues related to student interpreter service or additional hours of interpreter service. You can also use the remote service for short remote interpreting assignments without booking an appointment. Such issues can include for instance booking an appointment with a doctor, calls to the day care centre or school, or contacting the bank for simple bank issues.

– The service concept for the remote speech-to-text interpretation is the same as for the remote service in the Finnish sign language, but now the service is available in both the Finnish sign language and as speech-to-text interpretation, mainly in Finnish, says Sari Paloposki, Head of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled.  

During the test, the remote speech-to-text interpreting service is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9–12 and on Thursdays at 12–15. Customers who use speech-to-text interpretation can access the remote service through a separate link on the web page on the remote service of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled. 

Background for the test a survey of the future of text telephone service

The test with remote speech-to-text interpretation in based on the proposals of the working group that considered the future of text telephone service. In its final report, the working group emphasised the role of accessibility when using services. 

Customer organisations, Kela, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health were represented in the working group.

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