ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments

6. Maintenance and Back-up of TTY Equipment

The ADA regulation contains a specific provision requiring that covered entities maintain their accessible features and equipment in operable working condition.⁴ To comply with this regulation, PSAPs must implement procedures for maintenance and back-up capability for TTY equipment that are equally effective as the procedures for maintenance and back-up capability provided for voice telephone equipment. For example, TTY equipment must be maintained and tested as often as voice equipment to ensure that it is working properly.

If a PSAP has a plan for back-up equipment in case some of its equipment malfunctions, the telephone lines malfunction, or there is a power failure, the plan must provide for TTY calls and equipment. For instance, PSAPs should keep extra TTY equipment on hand, in case primary equipment fails, if they have back-up voice telephone equipment for such a situation.