Now, a sign-language service via iPads

East Japan Railway Co. has started testing a sign-language interpretation service in Tokyo on Monday using a videophone application on an Apple iPad tablet for guiding hearing-impaired people.

According to the Japan Times, the company earlier used written messages for guiding such people.

Through this application, passengers at information booth can use sign-language to ask their queries to a call-center operator via iPad.

According to the report, operator will orally convey the queries to the JR information guide and pass on the answers to the passengers using sign-language.

This test service will be available until next march before JR East decides upon whether to expand this service.

This test service is available at 12 information booths in seven JR stations - Tokyo, Shinagawa, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

An information attendant said that this service will make communication smooth.

JR East stated that the system will connect foreign passengers with operators who can communicate in Korean Chinese and English, the report added.