Q&A
Discussion on current 911 accessibility and potential improvements
0:59:03
·
4 min
Council Member Gutiérrez engages in a Q&A session with Nicolin and Marcela about the current state of 911 accessibility for deaf individuals and potential improvements.
- Asks about the adequacy of existing 911 systems for deaf individuals in 2024
- Inquires about possible improvements and the potential benefits of multimedia files
- Receives feedback on the lack of continued engagement from OTI and the need for significant improvements in 911 services for the deaf community
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:59:03
So my question to the both of you is particularly to or in reference to 911 systems.
0:59:13
Do you believe that what exists today in 2024, provides adequate accessibility for deaf individuals?
0:59:23
You heard the administration today.
0:59:26
You heard their responses.
0:59:28
What do you believe could be improved?
0:59:30
And do you think that their use of multimedia files, like videos or images, would improve accessibility?
0:59:41
Okay.
0:59:41
We'll start is it we'll start with Nicolin first.
0:59:44
Is that okay, Mandy?
Marcela Davis (via sign language interpreter)
0:59:49
Sure.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:59:50
Okay.
Nicole Plumbers
0:59:54
K.
0:59:54
To answer that question, we we came from all that information.
1:00:01
And if we have continued that relationship, They will have all the knowledge and leads to strengthen their system.
1:00:13
But they choose to disconnect us.
1:00:16
This problem, whether we're not able to move forward because they want to implement
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:00:29
Thank you.
1:00:30
And, Marcela, did you wanna respond?
Vickie Paladino
1:00:34
Yes.
Marcela Davis (via sign language interpreter)
1:00:38
Right.
1:00:38
So before 2020, we already made an agreement, and we wanted to make sure that both, live, both the city and the general public work together because that's what we really care about.
1:01:02
That's what we really invested in, but we we got nothing in response.
1:01:10
The benefit was missed.
1:01:12
So that's that.
1:01:13
Now to answer your other question about, the 911, the point of the 911, we need more.
1:01:20
We need more improvement.
1:01:21
And the reason for that is because it's still the case that many different people in other cities we comparing.
1:01:29
Right?
1:01:30
You said from our city, New York City right now, the surface here at 911.
1:01:35
Right?
1:01:37
For for example, a person who is in a town that needs to text 911 right away.
1:01:44
Right?
1:01:45
Let's say they have the police and the ambulance to help them and their deaf, and they need human services and an advocate to fight for them.
1:01:58
Let's say it's a serious emergency at that time.
1:02:01
Right?
1:02:02
They need the emergency, vehicles to arrive on-site to get to save them for the emergency, to be able to explain what's going on.
1:02:13
Because it will save time.
1:02:14
It'll also save money.
1:02:16
The cost of services is already there.
1:02:19
Everyone is able to respond to the deaf person.
1:02:22
And, you know, New York doesn't realize, you know, we have the money.
1:02:27
We're paying for the ambulance service already to come.
1:02:31
Right?
1:02:31
911, was $25,000,000 that's spent.
1:02:36
I don't actually know the the statistic.
1:02:38
But again, itself, you know, the other services for the deaf and hard of hearing, by no comparison, we don't have as much and it needs to be improved.
1:02:48
And, other states do.
1:02:50
Yes.
1:02:51
To answer your question, they already have implemented more services and more technology and capabilities compared to what we have here, you know, if we compare the this state to other states.
