In the quest to guarantee universal access to life-saving communication, the European Accessibility Act (2019/882) has introduced new obligations on accessibility requirements. These directives are designed to ensure that vital communication services, including emergency calls, remain accessible to individuals with varying conditions, such as Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing. A crucial tool in achieving this goal is Real-Time Text (RTT), which represents a significant stride towards Total Conversation, ensuring equitable and meaningful access to Emergency Servies for all.
Total Conversation embodies multiple communication modalities within a single conversation, namely speech, text, and video. With the primary aim to provide meaningful access and inclusion, especially for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, RTT lies at the heart of Total Conversation. Its ability to transmit text as it is typed ensures that messages are accessible in real-time during telephone calls for both parties. RTT has undergone rigorous testing in various networks, is well-established through standardization and documentation, and is prepared for implementation and adaptation to existing infrastructure. Standardized RTT is fully compatible with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the same standard utilized for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Consequently, RTT can be seamlessly integrated into current infrastructure without disrupting ongoing services.
The implementation of RTT, and by extension, Total Conversation, is not only vital due to the need to compliance with legislation but also represents an important step forward in creating meaningful accessibility for all citizens, including individuals within the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
If you want to learn more about nWise RTT Bridge, our solution for efficient integration of RTT into existing infrastructure, please click on the button below.
