DRNY Secures
Settlement Agreement for Text to 911 In Nassau County
Albany, NY May 04, 2023- DRNY secured a settlement agreement for the complaint filed in January 2017,
against Nassau County alleging the County is in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 because it failed to provide ways that the plaintiff, a person with hearing loss, could effectively communicate to 911 emergency services via text messages.
The settlement outlines Nassau County’s agreement to implement a fully operational “Text-to-911” service no later than September 15, 2023. This service will allow all people the ability to send a text message to reach Nassau County’s 911 emergency call takers from their mobile phone or device.
Within 45 days of text-to-911 services becoming live in Nassau County, they will publish public service announcements, both in print and digitally on social media platforms. Nassau County will also notify all schools in the County of the new way people can use the 911 service. These service announcements will advertise the availability of the new emergency response feature of text-to-911 services. All public service announcements, flyers, or posters shall be made available in both English and Spanish.
“911 must be available and accessible to everyone. Without text-to-911, those who are unable to orally communicate their need for emergency services are left without critical assistance when they need it most. In 2023, this technology should have already been implemented statewide.” DRNY Executive Director Timothy A. Clune, Esq.
