The Indiana Statewide 911 Board has added a new feature to its Text-to-911 system that lets Hoosiers text 911 in their native language.

Now, citizens can text 911 with an emergency and the message will be automatically translated for dispatch.

As the dispatcher responds, the message will be automatically translated back into the citizen’s native language.

108 languages are available in the new feature.

“Text-to-911 enables direct access to emergency services for those who are deaf or speaking-impaired, having a medical emergency that prevents them from being able to speak, or in a situation where making a voice call would put them in danger,” said Treasurer Mitchell. “We’ve already seen the benefits of texting to 911. It allows people in sensitive situations to communicate with law enforcement, and now we are removing the language barriers to those services.”

Dispatchers in Indiana have had access to “Language Line”, which offers voice translating for 911 calls, since 2019.