You hope you wouldn’t need 999, but if you were in an emergency situation you trust you could get help with one simple phone call.
But how accessible is 999 for Deaf or hard of hearing people or those with speech impediments? …… Not very!
Currently we can either telephone or text 999, however both proves to be difficult and have limitations for many.
That’s why I developed E+press, which is a non-verbal app for contacting emergency services at the touch of a button.
Watch Becca’s BSL video below:
Our app is for anyone to use, however it will bring significant ease of use for Deaf, hard of hearing, vulnerable people, those with breathing problems, or even those in a violent situation who need to contact 999 without using their voice.
We currently rely on 999, a system that began in 1937. As technology develops around us, so should products and services.
Isn’t it amazing how we can now order food, taxies and book appointments through smartphone apps. We should be able to use our smartphones to easily access emergency help when required. E+press is working to do just that!
We would love if you could help us by voting….
Currently we are in the running for “The People’s Choice Award” – founded by The Duke of York to support entrepreneurs with the amplification and acceleration of their business ideas.
Please support us by clicking on this link and giving us your vote! http://pitchatpalace.com/contestants/becca-hume-designs-epress/
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Linda Richards
October 26, 2016
Sounds good, however, is there anywhere where we can SEE how the app works? (Or is that the point of the voting? To develop it further?)
Would like to see this and see how it differs from the emergency text registration service we have.
A shame that the pitch video clip didn’t have signing or subtitles or both. That would have strengthened the ‘inclusivity’ message.
Becca Hume
October 26, 2016
Hi Linda,
We have a working prototype but there are further developments still to be done and this is part of the process to raise awareness, as we seek further funding.
I too have the emergencySMS on my phone, however the app will be completely different.
The app does not require the user to text anything – it is highly visual, using icons.
It will speed up the process of contacting emergency services. It also sends more specific information to emergency response that you may not know to include in an eSMS.
When you text Emergency Services you have no template and often it is difficult to know what to include, however our app will guide you through, similar to speaking directly to a 999 call handler, answering all vital questions they may have.
Yes, it is a shame the official “Pitch@Palace” did not have captions, however I recorded a full BSL version of the pitch – seen above.
Many thanks, Becca
Linda Richards
October 27, 2016
Thanks. I do understand it’s visual. The article suggests the app has already been developed (and is available since it could ‘save my life’.) The subtitles would have helped those who are not be able to follow BSL or your Northern Ireland dialect of BSL. Anyway, all the best and I look forward to seeing how it develops. I’ll look again at the link for voting.
katyjudd2013
October 26, 2016
Agree – how is it different to emergencySMS? http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/
Becca Hume
October 26, 2016
Hi Katy
I made a few comments above in response to Linda’s similar question.
If you have any other questions, I’m happy to add.
Many thanks, Becca
nathan
October 26, 2016
Many areas of UK don’t have good 3G or 4G signals throughout meaning that this app (and emergencySMS) won’t work. Even some homes dont have good 3G or 4G signals – I often have to move to the other side of my home to get a mobile signal. I have wifi throughout my home , but then some people do not have wifi.
I have noted when I have a poor signal on my phone it says “SOS use only” – I often wonder if emergencySMS would work on this signal?
At least this app can work with Wifi so it is an useful tool for deaf people and I welcome its development.
Becca Hume
October 27, 2016
Hi Nathan,
The good news is Telecommunications companies have a responsibility to improve the 3G and 4G networks. Like most things this frustratingly takes time.
We are developing the app alongside these changes and have exciting developments down the line.
Cathy
October 26, 2016
How would you give address on this app? Still need to type it in the same as current SMS system we have. Be good to see a demonstration as I dont understand it.
Becca Hume
October 27, 2016
Hi Cathy
The app uses GPS to find your exact location, so you will not have to type in your location (which is useful if you don’t know exactly where you are). When our website is launched it will continue more visual explanations. Thanks
SignHealth
October 27, 2016
Hi Rebecca, please can you send an email to SignHealth about your new app? We’d love to know more about it. Many thanks. Freya communications@signhealth.org.uk
Becca Hume
October 27, 2016
Thanks Freya, I will email through at the start of next week, if not before. Becca