Access for 9-1-1 and Telephone Emergency Services

Q: Can PSAPs rely on State relay services to answer emergency calls from persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have speech impairments?

A: No. The Title II regulation specifically prohibits emergency telephone service providers from relying on relay services. Relay services do not provide "direct access," because they require the services of a third party and are far more time-consuming than direct TTY calls. However, if a person placing a call to a PSAP voluntarily chooses to rely on a telephone relay service, the PSAP must answer and respond appropriately to such a call.