Text with 9-1-1 services
Text with 9-1-1 services for the deaf and speech impaired expands across B.C.
On May 29, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), in partnership with E-Comm and the BC Chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA-BC), announced the availability of Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) services throughout the regional district.
The announcement was made in observance of National Access Awareness Week and Speech and Hearing Awareness Month, and is a means of providing those who are Deaf/Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing or Speech Impaired (DHHSI) with easier access to emergency services. T9-1-1 also became available throughout the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) as part of the transition of 9-1-1 call-answer services to E-Comm on May 17.
“The T9-1-1 service is one way we can improve inclusivity for DHHSI residents and their families,” said FVRD Board Chair Jason Lum. “We are glad that our emergency-service agencies and E-Comm are able to provide this service to our communities, bringing the best technology has to offer to ensure equal access.”
In a news release following the PRRD’s transition, Board Chair Brad Sperling echoed the importance of making the T9-1-1 service available for DHHSI residents.
“We’re excited to be able to provide our deaf and hard-of-hearing community with an improved way of communicating with 9-1-1 call-takers during an emergency. I hope residents with hearing or speech impairments take time to register for this important service and learn how it works and what to expect if they ever need to use it.”
Members of the DHHSI community can register and find out more about the service at textwith911.ca.
