CRTC recognized for its innovative work on behalf of hearing and speech-impaired Canadians

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, May 26, 2015 /CNW/ - At a ceremony held yesterday, employees of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) were presented with the Innovative Team Award from the Association of Professional Executive of the Public Service of Canada for their work on the Text with 9-1-1 service.

Text with 9-1-1 enables hearing and speech-impaired Canadians to access emergency services more directly and efficiently. Through this service, call centre operators are able to communicate with registered users via text messages. Canada's Text with 9-1-1 service is also unique in that along with the initial call, the operator receives the caller's approximate location, which can be of great assistance if the caller is unable to identify their location. A text messaging session is then initiated by the operator in order to exchange information regarding the emergency.

The rollout of these services started in the spring of 2014 and will be completed by the end of this year. Approximately 250 9-1-1 call centres across Canada will be able to support this service and have emergency personnel trained to interact with citizens in this new way. These changes will also pave the way for other next generation 9-1-1 services that will emerge in the coming years.

CRTC staff worked closely with wireless service providers, 9-1-1 call centres, representatives of hearing and speech-impaired persons, and others parties to make Text with 9-1-1 available in Canada. The CRTC's partnerships and ongoing collaboration with dozens of participants has been instrumental in making this project a success.

For more information and to register to use Text with 9-1-1, hearing and speech-impaired Canadians are encouraged to contact their wireless service provider and to visit Text with 9-1-1.

Quick Facts

• The Association of Professional Executive of the Public Service of Canada has recognized the work of CRTC employees with the Innovative Team Award.
• At the CRTC's request, wireless and telephone companies made changes to their networks in order to support the provision of Text with 9-1-1 service.
• Text with 9-1-1 service is becoming available across the country as call centres implement this new feature.
• In the event of an emergency, registered users must first dial 9-1-1 from their cellphone. The emergency call centre will automatically receive a notification to initiate a conversation by text message.
• Voice calling remains the only way to access 9-1-1 services for people who are not hearing or speech impaired.
• Text with 9-1-1 is not available to the general public at this time. Text messages sent to "911" do not reach emergency services.
• The CRTC is proud of the work it is carrying out to ensure Canadian citizens, creators and consumers are at the centre of a world-class communication system.
• APEX is the national association for federal public service executives which fosters excellence in leadership.

Associated Links 
Telecom Decision CRTC 2013-22 
CRTC marks the start of Text with 9-1-1 services for hearing or speech impaired persons 
CRTC announces enhancements to 9-1-1 services for Canadians with hearing or speech impairments

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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