Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, speech-disabled, or late-deafened people who use text telephones (TTYs) or voice carry-over (VCO) phones can dial 711 to reach a free relay service, where specially trained operators will relay a conversation between a TTY/VCO user and a standard telephone user.

Text-to-911 is a reliable and safe way to reach emergency services in New York City.

It is beneficial to people who are:

• Deaf
• Hearing impaired
• Speech impaired
• Not able to safely call 911

You should:

• Only text 911, if you can't call 911
• Never text and drive

Restrictions

Text-to-911 is free and works through short message service (SMS) with cellular carriers but requires a text or data plan.

Text-to-911 is also only available in English and Spanish in the five boroughs.

How to Text

To use Text-to-911 as efficiently as possible you should: 

• Enter 911 in the “to” field without spaces or hyphens
• Let the operator know if you are deaf
• Text the reason for your emergency
• Text your full address with borough and cross streets if available
• Use complete words and sentences, not abbreviations
• Not text 911 in a group chat or send photos, videos, GIFs, or emojis
• Answer all of the operator’s questions. The operator will end the chat when appropriate.