The Post Office (The UK's national postal carrier, one of the largest retail businesses in the world, with an active research arm developing new technologies for use in its outlets) It is the intention of The Post Office to exploit the technology arising from the ViSiCAST both in its capacity as service provider and employer. It is envisaged that the interactive avatar system in Post Offices will improve access to services and information for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. It is also our intention to use the same system to perform translations into several European and Asian languages: French, German, Italian Spanish, Welsh, Japanese, Somali and Punjabi. This will enable The Post Office to ensure the widest possible take up of the system within its network, thus maximising the availability of the sign language avatar. The Post Office is increasing the services and information that can be accessed at kiosks and over the Internet; we would therefore intend also to implement non-interactive avatar technology in order to ensure that the transaction or information is relayed with clarity. The Post Office also realises the necessity for creating a working environment that is conducive to recruiting and retaining deaf people in its workforce.

It is therefore also intended to use interactive avatars in the workplace, first in circumstances where it is vital that information is relayed with optimum clarity and in confidence, such as exchanges with the doctors in our Employee Health Service. It is envisaged that this implementation will be extended to interviews, appraisals, training and coaching. The Post Office is also an active force within the community, for example our training group recently produced a set of signed videos for children. We envisage that we would also use this technology to promote knowledge and awareness of sign languages within the community.

RNID (UK National Institute with a strong reputation for providing services and technology to deaf people) Trials with and Dissemination to user groups - particularly in UK Involvement of deaf people at all stages. The RNID is the UK's principle supplier of relevant technology to deaf groups and individuals.