Technology and Access

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and TTY

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to provide direct, equal access to their services for people with disabilities who use teletypewriters (TTYs), which are also known as “telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs).”

This device, accessed through 911, allows callers with hearing disabilities to seek emergency assistance without delay. Callers can communicate with Kitsap 911 CENCOM by typing a request which telecommunicators receive and respond to by typing replies. The center has recently installed new state of the art TDD devices which automatically pick up incoming TDD calls or signals from all phone lines. Kitsap 911 is able to communicate to the hearing/speech impaired by using a TTY/TDD interface.

What to do if you use a TTY device

• Dial 911 and give the dispatcher a moment to respond
  • You may press any key after dialing 911 to indicate that a TTY is being used, however "silent" calls are handled as potential TTY calls.
• Stay calm and be clear
  • Remain calm so you can communicate effectively.
  • Answer all questions fully and clearly.
• Provide accurate location information
  • Give the exact address where help is needed including apartment and building numbers as well as the city.
• Stay on the line
  • Do not hang up until the call taker releases the call. If you call accidentally, stay on the line and confirm there is no emergency.
  • If the situation changes, call again and update the call taker.
• Practice and Prepare
  • Familiarize yourself with your TTY's functions and the 911 process.
  • If you are a parent, teach your children how to call 911 and trust the call taker.

Texting From a Cell Phone

Call if you can; text only if you can't. A voice call to 911 will get help moving faster than a text message but use the method that keeps you, as the caller, the safest.

Text to 911 is intended to benefit people that may not be able to speak due to an emergency such as a home invasion or abusive partner, as well as individuals that are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties. It is available across Washington but your phone carrier may not support it.

How to Text 911

• Enter 911 with no dashes or spaces in the "To" field of your phone's text messaging app.
• Type your message with the location, including city, and the type of emergency help needed (fire, police, medical).
• Stay with your phone and be prepared to answer questions from the 911 call taker.

Calling from the wilderness

Cell phone service may not be available in the wilderness. If service is available, your 911 call for help will be picked up by the nearest cellular tower in the most direct line of sight to your location. It could be answered at a county 911 center, by the State Patrol, or even by the Canadian authorities. Since these call answering centers are all located outside the boundaries of the calling area, they would have no way of knowing from where you are calling unless you tell them. Be prepared to provide your location and know how to increase your signal strength, to include: pointing your antenna up; finding a clearing; gaining elevation; and turning your body-your body may be obstructing the signal. Remember, help may be several hours away or longer. Use 911 only in case of an actual emergency. When your call is answered, be sure to tell them:

• Your location, including the trailhead and nearest city, destination or waypoints.
• Your name and the cell phone number, including the area code.
• If your 911 call is disconnected, call 911 again.

Calling from your vehicle

When you dial 911 from your vehicle, identify yourself as a cell phone caller and provide your cell phone number and the exact location where help is needed. Be sure to convey:

• The nature of the emergency.
• The exact location, including cross streets, mileposts or landmarks.
• Remember, we do not know where you are.
• You must be able to provide the location of the emergency before help can be sent.
• Your name and the cell phone number, including the area code.
• If your 911 call is disconnected, call 911 again.

Calling from a boat

Cell phone service may not be available on all waters. If service is available, your 911 call for assistance will be picked up by the nearest cellular tower in the most direct line of sight to your location. The 911 center receiving your call has no way of knowing from where you are calling unless you tell them. Be prepared to provide your location. Use 911 only in an actual emergency. Cell phones may be used to call 911 during a boating emergency. A cell phone is an excellent backup communications’ device. However, a cell phone is not a substitute for a VHF-FM marine radio. A marine radio has several distinct advantages over a cell phone. With the relative low cost and compact size of a marine radio, any boater on any size craft (including canoes and kayaks) should carry a radio. When using a cell phone to call 911, be sure you know how your cell phone works and how to increase the phone’s signal strength. Point antenna up; turn your body-your body may be obstructing signal; find a clearing. Move from behind a mountain or island. Get on the boat’s highest point.

When your call is answered, provide the call taker with the following information:

• Your name and your cell phone number, including the area code.
• Indicate if you are on a boat, island or shore.
• The emergency situation.
• Condition of vessel/name of vessel.
• Number of people on board.
• Condition/health/ages of people on board.
• How long you can stay afloat, if sinking.
• Your location or last known location.
• Time and point of departure from dock.
• Your designation.
• Weather condition.
• Identify the survival equipment available.
• If your 911 call is disconnected, call 9-1-1 again.