This is already 2010!!!
Nevertheless, New Zealand have established a new "textting" system where a person can text and communicate with the police. New Zealand is supposedly to be the first country in the world to offer this unique service.
For more details (and you can watch a video), please go to 3news.
Not so, the UK has had this service years, I put up a blog 3 years ago describing the system we had. Basically you have to register with the police first where I am, they then give you a specific number to call them on a card. This can be used for all the usual 999 (UK) things.
ReplyDeleteThe UK didn't go 'public' with a number, there are reasons for this, not least NON deaf were able to abuse the deaf access system and disrupt it, by sending false calls etc. Not all police systems nation-wide use the text system as yet, but most do. It seems a personal deaf choice as to which system they want to use, some still use a hearing relative and prefer that, others friends etc.... Not ALL deaf want direct access, and use systems they have had for years and happy with.
Texting is also not a mode older deaf like using, if you have e.g. Arthritis or eyesight issues, then texting is not suitable.
Deaf also oppose in part, the registration process feeling hearing do not have to so, why do they ? As described it is because HEARING abused a text service if they were aware of the number. When I set up the first fax service in my area years ago, hearing abused that too.
It took a long time before the police allowed TTY access here, again because they thought it allowed time-wasters or even hackers access to the police computers. Basically the police did not understand the text systems deaf used.