Disability-Specific Resources

Emergency Assistance

Text-to-911:

• Text-to-911 is a reliable and safe way to reach emergency services in New York City.  You should always call 911 if you can and text 911 only if you can’t.  Text-to-911 is beneficial to the Deaf, people who are hard of hearing, people with speech disabilities, and those who can’t safely call 911.
• Watch the video in ASL about Text-to-911

LinkNYC:

• LinkNYC kiosks are located throughout the City.  If you are Deaf and unable to text 911, you can use the Video Relay Service (VRS) on a LinkNYC kiosk to connect to 911.  Just press the red 911 Emergency Call Button and then select the gray button labeled “Connect to VRS”.

  LinkNYC kiosks are also equipped with hearing loops, so if you are hard of hearing and have a hearing aid with a telecoil, you can use the 911 Emergency Call Button to reach 911.

  Even if you are not able to communicate with the 911 operator, if you press the 911 Emergency Call button, the NYPD will send someone to your location.

• More information about VRS on LinkNYC.
• Watch the video about LinkNYC in ASL.