New Zealand to launch 111 text calls for hearing impaired

Deaf people will be able to text 111 in an emergency from August. Stuff reports.

The text service will be tested and extended to the hearing impaired, and could eventually be available to everyone.

The system could also be used to track people's phones and send out mass "alert" texts to the public in an emergency.

Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Rachel Noble says New Zealand's 79,000 deaf people could send a fax in an emergency but often relied on finding a neighbour or someone to call 111.

Related articles.

emily | 8:13 AM | SMS for Deaf/Disabilities |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2010/03/025547.htm

Tweet