The Territorial Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Office of the Territorial ADA coordinator, will host two educational sessions on Text-to-911 for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, their families, caregivers, and advocates.
The St. Thomas session will take place on Thursday, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Schneider Regional Medical Center Boardroom. The details of the St. Croix session will be announced in the coming weeks.
Text-to-911 is an emergency service that allows individuals to contact emergency services by sending a text message to 911 when a voice call is not possible. This service provides critical access for those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or find themselves in situations where speaking aloud could put them at risk.
While voice calls remain the fastest way to reach emergency services, Text-to-911 is an essential alternative for people who are in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community, people experiencing a medical emergency that renders them unable to speak, when speaking aloud would compromise safety, and when you are in an area with poor cell voice service but can send text messages.
The U.S. Virgin Islands launched Text-to-911 service in April 2025. These training sessions represent a second round of awareness efforts specifically for the Deaf community to ensure knowledge of this vital utility.
“For Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals, traditional 911 access has historically depended on older technologies like TTY or relay services, which can be slow and unreliable during emergencies. The Deaf community is encouraged to know that this option exists because it provides a direct way to communicate emergency incidents and empowers them to effectively take greater control of their own safety,” said Julien Henley, Sr. the Territorial ADA coordinator.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided at both sessions. For those unable to attend in person, virtual access will be available via Microsoft Teams by clicking here.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged for both in-person and virtual attendance. To RSVP, request transportation, obtain virtual access information, or learn more about the event, contact 340-473-1848 or ada@go.vi.gov.
For additional information about Text-to-911 services in the U.S. Virgin Islands, click here.
