Text to 911 Emergency SMS Communication

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2022/10/18
Topic: Disability Communication - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Text-to-911 enables emergency call takers to receive text messages if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.

Introduction

Text-to-911 is a service available to you in parts of the United States and Canada if you are part of the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or speech impaired (DHHSI) community. Text-to-911 is a technology that enables emergency call takers to receive text messages. It can also be used when it is too dangerous to call.

NOTE: Text-to-911 is only currently available in certain locations. Voice calls to 911 provide more information to 911 call centers; you should always make a voice call to 911 during an emergency whenever possible.

Main Item

Text-to-911 is free, works through short message service (SMS) with cellular carriers, and requires a text or data plan. If you use a wireless phone or another type of mobile device, make sure to do the following in an emergency:

• Always contact 911 by making a voice call if you can.
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled, and text-to-911 is unavailable, use a TTY or a telecommunications relay service, if possible.

How to Text to 911

Text 911 if you need EMERGENCY police, fire, or medical aid AND you are Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled OR you cannot speak due to a medical emergency OR when a voice call might endanger your life or escalate the situation.

• Open your mobile phone's text messaging program.
• Enter the numbers 911 in the "To" field.
• Type a message with the location of the emergency, the nature of the emergency, and whether you need police, fire, or medical aid.
• Do NOT send photos or videos or use group texts, abbreviations, or emojis.
• Press the "Send" button or arrow.

If you attempt to send a text to 911 where the service is not yet available, FCC rules require all wireless carriers and other text messaging providers to send an automatic "bounce-back" message that will advise you to contact emergency services by another means, such as making a voice call or using telecommunications relay service. Bounce-back messages minimize your risk of mistakenly believing that a text to 911 has been transmitted to an emergency call center when it has not.

To learn more about FCC programs to promote access to telecommunications services for people with disabilities including a registry of areas supporting text-to-911, visit the U.S. FCC's Disability Rights Office website.

Related Information

• 211 Assistance Services in Canada and U.S.
• Overseas Emergency Services Phone Numbers

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.