Remote service

The remote service of the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled (Vammaisten tulkkauspalvelukeskus) is meant for short interpreting sessions and for taking care of simple matters related to the interpreter services for persons with disabilities. 

You can use the remote service in two ways: without an appointment or with an appointment. You do not need an appointment for managing simple matters related to the interpreter services or for short interpreting sessions. We can book an appointment for you if you want to submit applications related to the interpreter services in Finnish sign language or discuss other matters in detail, such as interpreter services for work-related situations.

Remote service without an appointment

You can use the remote service without an appointment for simple matters or short interpreting sessions. One session can be about 15 minutes. You can use Finnish sign language, spoken Finnish or spoken Swedish to access the service. 

You need online banking credentials or a Mobile Certificate to log in to the remote service. Use only your own credentials or Mobile Certificate. 

The remote service is open from 8.00 to 16.00 on weekdays.

You can use the remote service to manage affairs related to the interpreter services. You can, for example,

• book an interpreter, give more information about your booking or cancel a booking
• give feedback.

If you have the right to use the interpreter services for persons with disabilities, you can also use the remote service for short interpreting sessions. You can, for example,

• call Kela’s customer service
• call a day care or a school
• book an appointment with a doctor
• handle simple matters with your bank.

Remote service with an appointment

When you have an appointment, you can use the remote service to submit applications related to the interpreter services in Finnish sign language. You can apply for

• the right to use the interpreter services
• additional hours
• interpreter services for students
• the right to interpreter services during foreign travel.

We can also book an appointment for you if you want to discuss for example the use of interpreter services for work-related situations or submit additional information that we have requested in relation to the interpreter services.

Book an appointment in the remote service (in Finnish and Swedish only).

Book an appointment in another way.

Do this if you have an appointment for the remote service

We will send a confirmation email to your email address when we book you an appointment for the remote service.

You can log in to the remote service via the appointment booking system or via the link in the confirmation email.

You need online banking credentials or a Mobile Certificate to log in to the remote service via the appointment booking system. 

1. Log in to the appointment booking system.
2. Select View appointments on the front page. Next, open the appointment details.
3. Click the access link available in the appointment details. This will direct you to the page where you can access our remote service.

When is the remote service not available?

The remote service is not intended for interpreting at long meetings or in complicated situations. These situations include:

• meetings with many people present
• situations of crisis
• therapy sessions
• legal matters, such as meetings with the police or a lawyer in a criminal matter or dispute.

If you have several matters to handle at the same time, we recommend booking an interpreter. How to book an interpreter.

What equipment do you need for the remote service?

You need a smartphone, a tablet or a computer to use the remote service. Your device must have

• a microphone
• speakers or headphones
• a camera
• a web browser, such as Safari (iOS) or Google Chrome (version 64 or later)
• a network connection that is fast enough (at least 1,200 kbit/s)

If you do not have a compatible device of your own, you can borrow one from Kela. 

How to use the remote service

1. Once you have opened the remote connection, tell the interpreter your name. If you are using a tablet you have borrowed from Kela, tell the interpreter your remote interpreting ID (etätulkkaustunnus). The ID is personal. This means that you cannot use another person’s ID.
2. Tell the interpreter what type of service you need. Also tell the interpreter if the hearing person is in the same place as you are, such as in a shop or a public agency.
3. If you want to make a call, give the phone number to the interpreter and tell them who you are calling. Please also tell the interpreter what you want to ask. Introduce yourself at the beginning of the phone call that is interpreted and mention that you are calling with the aid of an interpreter.

What to do if something goes wrong?

If you cannot connect to Kela’s remote service, please clear your device’s browsing history and try again.

If that does not help, send an email to Kela’s technical customer support. The address is tekninentuki@kela.fi.