Emergency Response Center 112 hosted deaf and hearing impaired persons. Representatives of 112 provided guests with comprehensive information on SMS and video calls made especially for deaf and hearing impaired persons. During the informative meeting guests had an opportunity to be registered in the 112 data base and tested new service. 112 is motivated to register all Georgian citizens with hearing problems in their data base to help them in contacting emergency service independently in case in needed. At the first stage of SMS and video call service elaboration, 112 has already registered substantial part of Georgian citizens with hearing problems.
In the second phase of the project and in collaboration of the “Alliance of the Deaf”, weekly visits of the people with hearing problems were planned at 112 center. Within the 6 months period guests will be introduced to the newly elaborated services and will be registered in 112 data base. They will also view call center of 112 and see how SMS and video call service works.
SMS and video call service was implemented at 112 center with the support of UNDP and Swiss government. In the elaboration process of the service “Deafs’ Union of Georgia” was actively involved. Service is free of charge and is aimed only for deaf and hearing impaired persons only. Service is operational all over the country and works in round-the-clock regime. Deaf and hearing impaired persons are able to make emergency video calls or send SMS to the emergency service on their own. Information regarding the emergency situation will be forwarded to ambulance, patrol police and firefighting crews. Calls and incoming messages from deaf and hearing impaired persons will be received by specially-trained operators sign language knowledge.
