HSDC Logo Hearing, Speech & Deafness Logo 70th Anniversary Logo
Audiology Department Speech Department Deaf & Hard of Hearing Department Early Childhood Education Department HSDC Store
Home News & Events About Us Partnership Donate Links & Resources Search Contact Us
    Emergency Education Program
Client Advocacy
Video Communication
Emergency Education
Service Providers
Information & Referral
Outreach & Education
    (Formerly Washington State 9-1-1/TTY Education Program)  
     
 

"Dialing 9-1-1 is the most familiar way Americans have of finding help in an emergency."

-Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II; U.S. Department of Justice

 
     
  About the Program  
     
 

The Washington State 9-1-1 / TTY Education Program, in collaboration with state and local 9-1-1 and emergency management agencies, works to ensure equal and safe access to 9-1-1 services and emergency warning information for individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard of hearing, or facing speech challenges. This is a program of the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC). We provide...

 
     
 

Training for 9-1-1 centers on providing effective communication services via TTY, voice and relay services (traditional and internet based relay.)

 
 

Educational workshops for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing people on 9-1-1 services, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Notification

 
 

Research on access to Consultation on Communication aces to emergency warnings, developing option, and reporting to emergency officials.

 
   

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II requires 9-1-1 centers to provide direct access service and the most effective communication possible to TTY callers. Voice Carry Over (VCO) and Hearing Carry Over (HCO) are included. TTY training and testing is also mandated, and refresher courses at least every six months.

 
   
Trainings & Educational Workshops.  
   

HSDC offers trainings and educational workshops for 9-1-1 telecommunicators - at your facility or nearby area - including hands-on practice with a TTY machine, and ASL/English Translation, as well as an intro to Deaf Culture and American Sign Language. We also give presentations in partnership with other Emergency Responders. We offer Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) refresher courses as well, geared to fit your needs. Courses count for credit hours with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

 
   

The Washington State 9-1-1 / TTY Education Program offers a unique approach to 9-1-1 / TTY training that no other program offers. We provide education for...

 
   
 

Community members and students who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard of hearing, or facing speech challenges

 
 

Service Providers working with these communities

 
 

Emergency Responders and other agencies working in the field of emergency planning and preparation

 
     
  Emergency Notification & Preparedness  
     
 

Washington State is considered one of the few states at high risk for natural (earthquake, flood, windstorm) and manmade (terrorism, chemical spill) disasters. Many Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing are concerned, as they may lack access to emergency warnings and information, and need to take different appropriate steps for their own safety. We must emphasize the importance of effective visual communication systems that will provide equal access to emergency information.

 
     
 

This project provides resources for...

 
     
 

Emergency Preparedness training for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing people, and education on their rights to emergency warnings

 
 

Emergency Responders and other people working in the emergency field on Deaf Community outreach

 
 

Information to foster better understanding of Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing culture

 
     
  Emergency Information  
     
  HSDC is a member of National Emergency Number Association (NENA), www.nena.org and is currently on the NENA Accessibility committee.  
     
 

HSDC has been selected as the point of contact by Seattle King County Public Health (SKCPH) to forward emergency information to Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing people. Organizations serving these populations in King County and the surrounding areas, as well as individuals, can join this database by providing an email address.

 
     
 

Subscribe to emergency info

 
  HSDC receives alert information from several sources and will forward to those listed in database. Disclaimer - May not be able to send out in a timely manner.  
     
 

Learn more at www.metrokc.gov/health

 
     
  History  
     
  In the summer of 1993, a Deaf Washington resident died of complications from a stroke, after repeated attempts by the family to reach 9-1-1 through a TTY had failed. The Washington State Department of Social Health Services, Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), secured funding to develop a training and educational program for 9-1-1 telecommunicators and TTY users, to ensure 9-1-1 / TTY accessibility.  
     
  The Washington State 9-1-1 / TTY Education Program was established in March, 1995. Since that time, it has served a dual purpose: to train 9-1-1 telecommunicators, and to empower TTY users to call 9-1-1 directly. In 2001, funding from Washington State E9-1-1 provided for continuing training to 9-1-1 telecommunicators, and the Emergency Notification project was added.  
     
  Contact Us  
     
  The Washington State 9-1-1 / TTY Education Program welcomes any new information, questions, feedback, or suggestions regarding 9-1-1 training, services and Emergency Notification. Please contact Donna Platt, M.S. for more information, or to set up a training or workshop.  
     
Employment Services