Cumbria Deaf Association has worked closely with the Police to develop a 999 Emergency Mobile Text Service which will enable people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired to contact the Emergency Services.

Introduced by Cumbria Constabulary, in partnership with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service, the new service was trialled by volunteers from the CDA.

The short message service was introduced as the result of a request to the CDA by a member of the Deaf Mountaineering Club concerned about lack of access to emergency services by deaf people walking and climbing in the Lakes.  CDA  then took the matter up with Cumbria Constabulary.

The new service was launched at Penrith Methodist Church by Chief Inspector Stephen Halliday and Sergeant Janet McGilloway with representatives from the above services, as well as the Police Authority, Mountain Rescue, Border Lost Chord Club and Cumbria Deaf Association.

The service ONLY applies if the emergency occurs in the Cumbria area and is ONLY available to deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired people of all age groups.

Leaflets containing information on the service are available through Cumbria Deaf Association and Cumbria Disability Network, as well as posters and leaflets in doctors’ surgeries, libraries and hospitals.