It’s a normal Thursday on your drive home from work. The night before you had seen there was a chance of snow but hadn’t bothered to re-check the forecast with the business of the day. As you pull out of the office parking lot it becomes undeniably clear that a full-on blizzard has set in. You don’t worry as this is Iowa and you’re prepared with all wheel drive. That is until you get out of the city on your normal drive home and you hit your first drift. After the shock wears off you hit your hazards and pull off to the side. With extremely low visibility you have to let someone know where you are. Finally, after digging in every pocket, you find your phone. You dial your family and once on screen you sign to them letting them know you’re safe but are waiting for the storm to pass. This is the power of specialized access. This is confidence in communication.

The school halls are bustling between passing periods. You close your locker, glance at the clock and hustle to your next class. Shortly after finding your seat the lights begin to flash, “lockdown” loudly is repeated by your principal 3 times over the intercom, and your teacher begins barricading the door. A lockdown has been initiated. You and your classmates follow instructions, hiding yourselves and being as silent as physically possible. Scared and confused, you patiently wait for the all-clear. After an excruciatingly long 10 minutes, your teacher turns on the lights and begins resetting the room. She informs you all you had successfully executed the lock down drill. She polls the class on how they are all doing and turns for your response. You pull out your tablet and use your assistive app to share that it was scary but you are okay. This is the power of specialized access. This is connection in communication.

A late afternoon in mid-August has you rocking back and forth in the house next to the AC unit. You enjoy watching the breeze make the trees dance in the yard and you remind yourself to pull tomatoes to take to your daughter tomorrow for your visit into town. The grandbabies love your cherry tomatoes, and of course, you love your grandbabies. As you glance back out the window, the trees have ceased to move and an eerie stillness creeps across the field. Your phone begins to vibrate on the coffee table next to you, shocking your system. You look to find a message “TORNADO WARNING NOW SEEK SHELTER EMERGENCY.” You hurry to the basement grabbing a flashlight, book, and cat, as you know this could be awhile. Once settled in the safety of the shelter, you pull out your phone again and dial your daughter to ensure they also made it to their basement. As your daughter answers her words appear across your screen in text. You take in every word, including that of the grandkids, desperate to say hello to grandma over mom’s voice. Relief washes over you as you respond to them, reminding them everything will be okay. This is the power of specialized access. This is comfort in communication.

Put yourself in the position of any one of these case scenarios. Now imagine the difference had there not been specialized communication devices available at your disposal.

The danger of lacking access to communication in emergency situations cannot be overstated. Imagine being stranded in a snowstorm without the ability to contact anyone for help, or experiencing a medical emergency and being unable to call for assistance. For individuals who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech difficulties, traditional communication methods like phone calls may not be an option, leaving them isolated and vulnerable. Without specialized communication devices, crucial time can be lost, turning what could have been a manageable situation into a life-threatening one.

In a school lockdown scenario, students and teachers rely on clear, immediate communication to stay informed and safe. For someone without access to assistive communication tools, vital instructions can be missed, increasing the risk of harm. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a security threat, or a personal health crisis, the inability to communicate effectively can result in confusion, delayed responses, and potentially tragic outcomes.

If the thought of potential danger of this isolation is not motivation enough, consider a loved one in one of these situations, whether a child, a friend, or a parent, no one should endure a crisis alone. In this digital age, telecommunications access is no longer a matter of option, but a necessity. Specialized communication access amid emergencies can mean the difference between life and death for many.

According to the Des Moines register, “Between 1996 and 2020, Iowa alone saw more than 1,000 blizzards.” Additionally, KCCI shares, “on average, Iowa experiences about 50 tornadoes per year…” Emergency situations are never a matter of “if” but always a matter of “when.” Are you prepared accordingly?

Accessible communication isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Ensuring everyone has the tools they need to stay connected, especially in critical moments, is not only essential, but a responsibility we all share. That’s where we come in.

Telecommunications Access Iowa is a program of the Iowa Utilities Commission and exists to provide specialized telecommunications equipment to Iowans who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech difficulties at little-to-no cost.

These specialized devices arrive preloaded with apps and software to promote seamless access and communication. These include but are not limited to: live caption display, specialty ringer settings like flashing and tactile kits, speech amplification, and more. Learn more about our product variety at https://teleiowa.com/products/.

Our team of experts is prepared to walk you through your application, selection, and technology learning process to ensure you are prepared and equipped in any emergency situation with these specialized devices. From start to finish, we’re here for you. The application takes only a matter of minutes, but it could mean years of safety and communication when you need it most. Visit us at https://teleiowa.com/contact/ to connect with our team.