Miss-Delectable
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http://www.whtimes.co.uk/content/whtimes/news/story.aspx?brand=WHTOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newswhtnew&itemid=WEED11%20Dec%202006%2015%3A03%3A54%3A873
The plan is part of a raft of measures being brought in by Hertfordshire Constabulary as part of a new disability equality scheme.
Other measures include ensuring new police stations, such as that planned for Hatfield, are fully accessible to both staff and the public who have disabilities.
Chief inspector Tim Bonnett told the WHT the texting service - which would be available for all to use - could be in place by the middle of next year.
People needing to contact the police would be able to text a special number from their mobile number. They would then receive a reply back to say help was on the way.
Chief insp Bonnett said: "We do have difficulties we are going to be resolving in the next three to six months with deaf people contacting us.
"We do have a text phone, but not everyone has that so we are bringing in a text messaging service.
"It won't just be for deaf people, but for all to use - that way we improve the service and accessibility for everybody."
Chief insp Bonnett said wheelchair access was also a problem at some of the county's older police stations.
"At Hatfield you can get to the enquiry office, but if a member of staff with mobility issues couldn't use the stairs they would be unable to work on two floors of the building.
"We are building a number of new police stations, like Hatfield, and we are making sure these new builds are all fully compliant so people with disabilities have no problems using them."
The scheme, launched last Monday, was brought in as a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
It follows a six-month consultation period between police and a range of disability groups.
The plan is part of a raft of measures being brought in by Hertfordshire Constabulary as part of a new disability equality scheme.
Other measures include ensuring new police stations, such as that planned for Hatfield, are fully accessible to both staff and the public who have disabilities.
Chief inspector Tim Bonnett told the WHT the texting service - which would be available for all to use - could be in place by the middle of next year.
People needing to contact the police would be able to text a special number from their mobile number. They would then receive a reply back to say help was on the way.
Chief insp Bonnett said: "We do have difficulties we are going to be resolving in the next three to six months with deaf people contacting us.
"We do have a text phone, but not everyone has that so we are bringing in a text messaging service.
"It won't just be for deaf people, but for all to use - that way we improve the service and accessibility for everybody."
Chief insp Bonnett said wheelchair access was also a problem at some of the county's older police stations.
"At Hatfield you can get to the enquiry office, but if a member of staff with mobility issues couldn't use the stairs they would be unable to work on two floors of the building.
"We are building a number of new police stations, like Hatfield, and we are making sure these new builds are all fully compliant so people with disabilities have no problems using them."
The scheme, launched last Monday, was brought in as a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
It follows a six-month consultation period between police and a range of disability groups.