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ACCESS ABLE Effective January 1, 1990 TDD's must be installed "In the sheriff's offices in each county seat of each county of the state, and in one or more public safety agencies in each municipality with a population in excess of 10,000 inhabitants. Each public safety agency, not within a municipality with more than 10,000 inhabitants, shall share the cost of the telecommunication device with the county and each public safety agency within a municipality with more than 10,000 inhabitants . . . the Attorney General shall investigate any complaint or reported violation of this act and, where necessary, take actions necessary to ensure compliance." TDD's in emergency service agencies will enable severely hearing-impaired people to communicate via typed message over the telephone lines. A TDD is basically a computer keyboard with a modem which accommodates a telephone receiver. TDD's can be purchased from two major manufacturers of telecommunications devices for the Deaf: Krown Research (1-800-833-4968) and Ultratec (1-800-482-2424). They will be able to direct you to a distributer in your area. Video taped training materials are available from Telecommunications for the Deaf Inc. (TDI), a not-for-profit group. Checks payable to TDI in the amount of $32.95 may be sent to: TDI Training may also be available from not-for-protit organizations that work with hearing-impaired people in your area. TDD's are opening the world of communication and greater independence for the hearing-impaired community. Emergency service providers are able to help further this independence by becoming TDD accessible. If you have questions concerning the new accessibility law, or your newly acquired TDD contact: Jodi L. Burrell Page 12 / Illinois Municipal Review / February 1990 |
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