About the survey
NTID at Rochester Institute of Technology asked over 100 DeafBlind adults about calling 911.
Text is the top choice
Most prefer texting, but many did not know whether text-to-911 worked in their area.
In Korea, you can text 119.
People want to practice
Many had never called and felt afraid. They wanted to practice.
Explaining again at every step
They had to explain again at dispatch, with responders, and at the hospital.
Carrying an emergency card means less explaining.
Touch is the simplest
Touch is the one thing all DeafBlind people use to communicate.
One US fire department lets people touch the badge, and added differently shaped patches on both arms.
Decide where your card lives
A card used once in years is easy to lose. Keep it in a set place: your bag, by the door, by the bed.
Based on the Twili team's visit to NTID on October 1, 2026.