The move coincides with the British Deaf Association's Learn to Sign Week, (6-12 October 2008). The annual event comprises a series of events which give schools the opportunity to get involved with anything from learning British Sign Language to helping raise money for the charity.

The emergency text service – introduced in Hampshire in December 2004 to improve access for the deaf and speech impaired people to the emergency services - also "compliments the work of Hampshire Constabulary's Police Link Officers for Deaf People (PLOD), established in 1999", said a police spokeswoman.

Pam Cross, whose is profoundly deaf and from Southampton, used the service to contact the ambulance service when she awoke one night with severe chest pain.

"I was taken ill and I thought I was having a heart attack," said the 62-year-old. "It was very frightening. The police had told me about the text service and so I sent a message for help. The ambulance arrived very quickly. I'm so grateful. Deaf people need emergency access like this."

The North Wales Deaf Association (NDWA) has also developed a text messaging system.

“The service gives those who cannot use a (voice) telephone the ability to alert police to any emergency by sending a text message,” said Inspector Jason Higgins, from the Operation Communication Division. “A significant advantage over traditional methods of contacting the police is that SMS can be used anywhere from a mobile phone, more traditional methods of contact for Deaf people have historically depended on using a landline telephone or fax machine.”

Jane Priestley, Manager of the NW Deaf Association said: “The new SMS text messaging service now offered by North Wales police has opened up the emergency services to Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people in North Wales. As people do not need to register to use the service it will also be available to the many deaf visitors to the area.”

More info about this service can be found here.

Royal Deaf has also reported that Essex Police has gone live with a new text messaging service. The number is 07624 800101.

This number should be used for routine enquiries, to seek or give information, or get advice. The text service does not replace 999 in this area, which should continue to be used for all emergencies.

It is particularly aimed at young people and those with speech or hearing difficulties and who may have a problem with voice communication.

According to the BBC, there are currently 54,000 people registered as deaf in England and 164,600 registered as hard of hearing.