The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is launching a new service that will enable individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate directly with agency staff about issues of discrimination they may be facing. EEOC information intake representatives who are fluent in ASL will be available to answer questions and guide callers through the process of filing a charge of discrimination using videophones.  

Previously, individuals who were deaf and or hard of hearing relied on an interpreter using relay services when they contacted EEOC. This new system provides direct access to an EEOC employee who can answer the caller's question in ASL over a videophone.

EEOC is only the third federal agency-after the Federal Communications Commission and the Small Business Administration-to provide this direct access to the public.

Deaf and of hard of hearing callers can access the toll free ASL direct video line at 844-234-5122, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.