Local News in Brief : Crisis Phones for the Deaf

A new crisis telephone line for the deaf and hearing-impaired has been established by the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women. Although the nonprofit group’s work is oriented toward women’s needs, anyone can use the new service, said Claire Kaplan, the group’s community coordinator.

The new “TDD” number is 651-4610. TDD stands for telecommunications devices for the deaf, a program that allows deaf people to communicate over telephone lines on a typewriter-like device with two-way dialogue appearing on a screen. The 24-hour crisis counseling service, which began on a limited basis in December, is available Monday through Friday and will include weekends beginning April 30.

Kaplan said the line is an expansion of the group’s services for deaf people who have suffered sexual assault and domestic violence. She estimated there are about 550,000 deaf and hearing-impaired individuals in the Los Angeles area.