E911-ACCESS-ERR-001 emergency life_safety ai_generated true

AI suggests texting 911 in the US for a medical emergency, ignoring that TTY/TDD and real-time text are the correct accessible options

ID: emergency/ai-suggests-texting-911-when-disabled

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
80%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-03-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
FCC RTT Mandate 2023 active — — —
NG911 Phase 1 active — — —
iOS 17 RTT active — — —
Android 14 RTT active — — —

Root Cause

The AI incorrectly generalizes that texting 911 is universally available and accessible, whereas many US PSAPs do not support SMS for emergencies; the FCC mandates TTY/TDD and RTT (Real-Time Text) as the standard accessible channels for deaf/hard-of-hearing callers.

generic

中文

AI错误地认为发短信给911是普遍可用且无障碍的，而实际上美国许多公共安全应答点（PSAP）不支持紧急短信；FCC规定TTY/TDD和实时文本（RTT）是聋哑/听障人士的标准无障碍通道。

Official Documentation

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/accessibility-emergency-communications

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Use the built-in RTT (Real-Time Text) feature on iOS: Settings > Accessibility > RTT > enable 'Software RTT' and dial 911. On Android: Phone app > Settings > Accessibility > RTT > select 'Visible during call' and dial 911. 
    Use the built-in RTT (Real-Time Text) feature on iOS: Settings > Accessibility > RTT > enable 'Software RTT' and dial 911. On Android: Phone app > Settings > Accessibility > RTT > select 'Visible during call' and dial 911.
  2. 75% success If RTT is not available, use TTY/TDD by connecting a TTY device via the headphone jack, or use the TTY software mode on iPhone (Settings > Phone > TTY). 
    If RTT is not available, use TTY/TDD by connecting a TTY device via the headphone jack, or use the TTY software mode on iPhone (Settings > Phone > TTY).
  3. 65% success Register for local PSAP SMS-to-911 support by checking with your carrier and local emergency management office; keep a backup plan like a pre-written script for a hearing person to call on your behalf. 
    Register for local PSAP SMS-to-911 support by checking with your carrier and local emergency management office; keep a backup plan like a pre-written script for a hearing person to call on your behalf.

中文步骤

  1. Use the built-in RTT (Real-Time Text) feature on iOS: Settings > Accessibility > RTT > enable 'Software RTT' and dial 911. On Android: Phone app > Settings > Accessibility > RTT > select 'Visible during call' and dial 911.
  2. If RTT is not available, use TTY/TDD by connecting a TTY device via the headphone jack, or use the TTY software mode on iPhone (Settings > Phone > TTY).
  3. Register for local PSAP SMS-to-911 support by checking with your carrier and local emergency management office; keep a backup plan like a pre-written script for a hearing person to call on your behalf.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Advise user to enable 'Text to 911' in phone settings 70% fail

    Not all carriers or regions support SMS-to-911; enabling the setting does not guarantee delivery to the correct PSAP.

  2. Suggest using a third-party relay service app for emergency texting 85% fail

    Third-party apps may have latency or routing issues; official RTT is built into the OS dialer and should be used instead.

  3. Tell user to call 911 and then switch to text if unable to speak 60% fail

    If the user cannot speak due to disability, calling first may be impossible; RTT allows simultaneous voice and text.