Accessible ES through Total Conversation The problem In

Accessible ES through Total Conversation • The problem: In many European countries, people with communication oriented disabilities, have no guaranteed access to emergency services. With aging of the population this problem becomes more prevalent. In emergency situation anybody can find themselves disabled • The solution: Total Conversation (TC) is a: - IP based telecommunications service - enabling voice, text and video communication - at the same time and in real time.

TC - state of play • TC service - becoming feasible with the switchover to Internet Protocol (IP) • Standards for multimedia services available (ITU, IETF, 3 GPP, ETSI) • Revision of e-Communications legal Framework – accessibility issue; need for accessibility to mainstream telecommunications services was included in operational needs for access to Emergency Services (EGEA group) • Several providers are already emerging offering IP-based real -time-text solutions but – not fully interoperable nor compliant with the standards > risk of fragmentation

Example of a trial (1): multimedia calls to emergency services Video support in ES Video relay service translating sign language<>voice Signing user PSAP

Example of a trial (2): multimedia calls to emergency services Text (Relay) service in ES text <>voice Text user, or Text + voice user PSAP working with voice seeing text

Deployment Pilot on the European Commission agenda • Proposal for a Pilot in Competitiveness and Innovation Programme 2008: “Accessible Emergency Services through Total Conversation” (e-Inclusion Communication 8 Nov 2007) • Issues that could be solved in a CIP Pilot project: - interoperability in TC - interoperability in ES – can save lives - transferring of calls in whatever form they come - increased service efficiency; linking up of TC to great diversity of ES solutions > making 112 number accessible for anyone - standards - compliance to avoid fragmentation; • Mo. U being established by industry (EICTA) and users • Pilot requires cooperation with Emergency Services authorities and providers – now is the time to put it in place!

For discussion • What do you see as the main issues to be solved concerning Total Conversation and Emergency Services • What is the state of play, regarding the use of multimedia services to reach emergency services, in your country/organisation • Would there be an interest in having your organisation/country participating in an EU funded project in this area (CIP programme).