New text message service launched for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

A new text message service has been launched designed to improve emergency communications for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
Vodafone Ireland has announced the roll out of Real-Time Text (RTT), a next-generation messaging technology that enables text to be transmitted instantly, character by character, while maintaining a voice connection, eliminating the need to press "send".
The service is designed to create a more natural, fluid communication experience, particularly for deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired users.
RTT is fully compatible with Ireland's Emergency Call Answering Service, allowing users to communicate directly with 112 or 999 in real time.
"This capability can be lifesaving in urgent situations where every second counts," Vodafone Ireland said.
The RTT service is natively supported on smartphones that meet international accessibility standards.
These devices allow character-by-character text transmission during voice calls, without requiring third-party apps or additional hardware.
This ensures that users can communicate directly and immediately in emergency situations and in everyday interactions.
RTT is an accessibility service that allows text to be transmitted instantly as it is typed.
Unlike traditional text messages, RTT does not require waiting for a full message to be typed before transmission.
"RTT represents a significant step forward in digital accessibility, especially in emergency scenarios where real-time communication can save lives," the chief executive of Vodafone Ireland, Sabrina Casalta, said.
"The RTT launch has been developed in partnership with government stakeholders, accessibility advocates, and emergency response teams," Ms Casalta said.
Vodafone Ireland customers using both Android and iOS devices can now activate Real-Time Text (RTT) directly from their handset settings.
"The introduction of Real-Time Text by Vodafone Ireland marks a significant milestone in our national journey towards digital equality," said Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan.
"As the European Accessibility Act comes into force, it is heartening to see Irish tech leaders stepping up with meaningful innovation which instantly improves lives," Mr O'Donovan said.
Mark Byrne, Chairperson of Chime, Ireland's national charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, welcomed the launch of the new service.
"Chime is excited to see Vodafone Ireland leading the way in ensuring crucial accessibility to emergency services through its RTT service," Mr Bryne said.
"We know this is a major challenge for deaf and hard of hearing people who face barriers in reaching emergency services when they need to," he added.