This was just such a worthwhile idea and great use of SMS technology that I thought I should share it with you. As we all know mobile technology has changed our lives beyond all recognition. Certainly a mobile phone can be a God-send in an emergency. 

But not everyone can make use of the voice aspect of mobile technology, such as those with a hearing impairment. Instead these individual tend to rely on SMS to keep in touch with family and friends. So, I was impressed to see that in New Zealand they have harness SMS technology to provide an emergency service for the hearing impaired.

The new service will simply require deaf people to register for the service through Deaf Aotearoa, an organisation which promotes the interests of the deaf community New Zealand. If they are in an emergency they can then text the 111 emergencies services. They will then be prompted to enter information about their location and the incident. The service will automatically include their personal details with the SMS.  Call centre staff will read the SMS message and get a police car dispatched, if needed.  They can also text the sender back for more information.

The use of SMS to help the hearing impaired to connect with the emergencies services is being looked elsewhere in the world, including Canada and the UK. However, New Zealand has been the first to roll out the system and made this crucial SMS service available to those for whom voice just doesn’t cut it.

What I really like about this SMS initiative is that it helps to create a more level playing field – those with a hearing impairment will no longer be forced to rely on faxes or someone else to call the emergency phone line. I just hope that in time all of us will be able to use SMS to contact the emergency services.