We need your help in showing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that you support a major upgrade to our 911 emergency system. The FCC wants to hear from you! 

This upgrade, called Next Generation 911 (NG911), will finally make emergency services accessible to everyone, including Deaf and hard of hearing people who rely on making direct video calls in ASL without the use of third-party help. 

If you’re like most people, you expect your 911 calls to be handled quickly and without communication obstacles. But for those who use ASL, that’s not always possible. Read our blog here on why point-to-point Direct Video Calling (DVC) is absolutely necessary for emergency services.  

Here’s what a Deaf Minnesotan had to say, echoing the experiences of many across the U.S.: 

"My past attempts to reach 911 through Video Relay Services (VRS) have been deeply frustrating and unsafe—marked by long delays, inaccurate interpretation, and technical failures. These experiences left me no choice but to rely on text-to-911, which is slower and more limited than direct access in my native language." 

Right now, outdated 911 systems don’t support direct video calls, which makes it harder for Deaf and hard of hearing people to get help when they need it most. 

That’s where NG911 comes in. 

What Is NG911? 

NG911 is a much-needed modernization of our 911 system. It allows people to contact emergency services using text, video, photos, and real-time data—not just voice calls anymore. 

Key updates include: 

• Support text, photos, videos, and data - this helps people communicate in the way that works best for them. 

• Include more types of 911 service providers - not just phone companies, but also those who run the networks and systems behind 911. 

• Make 911 more reliable - by adding better equipment, real-time system checks, and backup plans. 

• Improve how 911 systems work together - so your info can be shared quickly, even across state lines. 

• Stronger rules and oversight - local and state 911 agencies will be able to check if service providers are following the rules. 

• Keep things fair and safe - the FCC will make sure the system upgrades are worth the cost and help everyone. 

This is a huge step forward for accessibility! Not only for ASL users in the Deaf and hard of hearing community, but also for people with speech, hearing, and other communication challenges. 

The FCC Wants to Hear from You 

Want to show your support for the NG911 upgrade? Simply submit a comment to the FCC! 

You can do it in two ways: 

1. Express Filing (Quick and Simple) 

File here to submit a comment directly to the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express 

Steps for each field: 

• Proceeding(s): 
  Enter: 21-479 and select the suggestion that appears. 
  Then enter: 13-75 and select the suggestion. 

• Name(s) of Filer(s): 
  Type your name. 

• Primary Contact Email (Optional): 
  Add your email to receive a confirmation. 

• Address/City/State/Zip: 
  Enter your mailing address. 

• Brief Comments: 
  Say why you support NG911 upgrades like Direct Video Calling in ASL, AI-powered captioning, and better emergency access for Deaf and hard of hearing people. You can use your own words or copy a sample message.  

Sample message: 

“I support the use of Direct Video Calling (DVC) in ASL, real-time multilingual captioning, and Rich Communication Services (RCS) in NG911. These features matter to our community as they ensure that everyone can reach 911 directly and safely. Thank you for moving forward with this important step toward accessibility.” 

• Final Steps: 
  Check the yellow box to acknowledge this is a public filing. 
  Click “Continue to Review Screen” and follow the prompts to finish. 

2. Standard Filing (For Detailed or Attached Comments) 

File here if you want to attach a document or submit longer comments: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard 

Instructions: 

• Fill out the same fields as the express form (docket numbers, name, email, address, and comments). 

• You’ll also see optional fields for law firm, attorney name, file numbers—these can be left blank if not applicable. 

• At the bottom, you can upload a file (PDF or Word) with your full comment letter. 

Sample Letter for You to Personalize (for Standard Filing) 

Subject: Support for Accessible NG911 Services, PS Docket Nos. 21-479 and 13-75. 

Dear FCC Commissioners, 

I am writing to express my strong support for the use of Direct Video Calling (DVC) in ASL, real-time AI-powered multilingual captioning, and Rich Communication Services (RCS) as standard features in Next Generation 911 (NG911). 

These features are crucial in making sure that Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and people with speech disabilities can contact 911 directly, safely, and efficiently, without relying on outdated systems like Video Relay Services (VRS). 

I am pleased the FCC is moving forward with this vital initiative and ask that you: 

• Support ASL-based Direct Video Calling (DVC) 

• Include AI-powered two-way captioning with multilingual translation 

• Enable enhanced text communication through RCS 

• Ensure interoperability and direct access to 911, without intermediaries 

This is about safety, fairness, and dignity, ensuring that all people can reach emergency services in the most accessible way. 

Thank you for your commitment to making NG911 accessible for all. 

Sincerely, 
[Your Full Name] 
[City, State] 
[Optional: Email for confirmation] 

Act Now. Every Second Counts 

Your comments can help encourage the FCC to continue making emergency services more fair, reliable, and accessible for everyone, especially those who have been left out for too long.