Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Jacquelyn A Gouvia

Travis Lyle Bradburn

The described method and system provide for utilizing a navigation system to facilitate communications between a call center and a disabled individual who may have difficulty hearing or speaking. In one implementation, if TTY services are unavailable through a TIM or TTY device, a call center may communicate with occupants of a vehicle through a vehicle navigation unit, utilizing a display and input method associated with the navigation unit. In another implementation, the call center may communicate with occupants of a vehicle through the navigation unit in the first instance.

Navigation system support of in-vehicle TTY system

The described method and system provide for determining whether to immediately contact a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) or attempt to communicate with a telematics services subscriber before contacting the PSAP in the event of an emergency. If a subscriber associated with the telematics unit is deaf and/or mute, and a TIM (TTY (TeleTYpewriter) Interface Module) or TTY device is not available to the subscriber, the subscriber may not be able to communicate with a call center regarding an emergency situation. Thus, expedited emergency procedures are executed by the call center in such a situation to avoid delay and facilitate the arrival of assistance as soon as possible.

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Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Jacquelyn A Gouvia