Calling 911 is a big headache for all the users of telecommunications devices for the deaf. Before the Americans with Disabilities Act became a law, we, the TDD users, used a separate seven-digit phone number so the 911 dispatchers would hear that separate phone ringing. They could answer with their own TDD. That was what I suggested at East Millinocket fire-police station. It works great. But the ADA law says no seven digits, no third person and no telecommuncation relay system while their 911 system is in use for an emergency.

It would be a complication for 911 dispatchers to know if it is a TDD. It sounds as if it’s a prank call. Maine has about 90,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing and even some speech-impaired. They make up about 1 percent of the calls to 911 via a TDD. That’s why dispatchers will forget all about TDD users. There are many deaf and hard-of-hearing deaths across the country and there are a lot of lawsuits against 911 for hanging up on them.

There’s only one way to solve the problem. All TDD users should purchase a TDD with built-in voice announcement. When the 911 dispather answers, all TDD users do is press one or two keys of the TDD keyboard. The dispatcher will hear the computer female voice, “This is TDD calling,” so the dispatcher would know it is a TDD calling.

I believe the other 911 stations in the Maine area are “poor man” 911 systems. They use cheap devices as ID caller unit, portable recorder, time puncher unit and good multi-line phone system. They may not be able to record the TDD calls. Therefore, the 911 system needs their own TDD with printer built in to record the conversation.

Some fire-police have a TDD and seven digit number for general purpose as long as it is not life-threatening. If they don’t have a TDD while you need a call to them for a fire permit or a complaint, you can use Maine Relay System. But remember, the Maine Relay Systems’ policy — they will not handle an emergency call. James F. Brown Jr. East Millinocket