TDD/TTY (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf)
The TDD is an electronic device for text communication. The device uses a series of tones, either BAUDOT or ASCII, which allow users to communicate via a keyboard and telephone interface at 911. Much like a landline phone for the hearing community, the deaf and hard of hearing community is encouraged to maintain a TDD machine to access 911 when a text pager or email is unavailable.
The 911 Operators at Denver 911 are trained on the use of the TDD and check all 911 hang-ups and “silent” phone calls or “open lines” using both voice and TDD commands in order to verify if a member of the deaf or hard of hearing community is on the line.
Sample messages used with the TDD / TTY machine:
911 WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY Q GA
WHAT IS YOUR PHONE NUMBER Q GA
WHAT ADDRESS TO SEND HELP Q GA
IS ANYONE HURT Q GA
DOES HE OR SHE NEED MEDICAL HELP Q GA
STAY CALM, HELP IS ON THE WAY GA
Text or Email
Text Pager: 303.513.6909
Email: Denver911@denvergov.org
(add this information to your contacts or address book to quickly find it if the need arises.)
Patterned after a program in Sacramento, CA, Denver 911 recently deployed a text pager in its 911 center. The text pager is dedicated to the citizens of the deaf and hard of hearing community to provide direct access to 911 from their Blackberry, Sidekicks or text pagers.
Members of the deaf and hard of hearing community can text or email Denver 911 to report emergency and non-emergency situations occurring in Denver and the metro area.
Requests for help outside of Denver will be accepted and the information will be delivered to the correct agency.
Text or email the following information:
WHERE help is needed; Address or intersection
Required information
GPS is not available
WHAT is going on? Tell us exactly what happened
Answer questions on injuries, suspects and other information as requested by 911
If possible, stay on line until help has arrived.