ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments

2. Automatic Identification Features

Many PSAPs have equipment with advanced features that facilitate quicker responses to callers. For example, many have automatic number identification (ANI) and automatic location identification (ALI). These features automatically tell the call taker the phone number and address from which a call originates.

If your area’s emergency service provider has these features, you must ensure that TTY calls have the same access as voice calls to such enhanced features whenever feasible. Such features are currently available for TTY calls placed using traditional TTY hook-ups to standard telephone lines. Emergency service providers need to stay current with changing technology to ensure that equal access and services are provided to TTY callers relying on newer technologies when they become available.

TTY calls may not simply be transferred to a third line to get this information because transfers often result in the loss of the automatic phone number and address information.