Making the national emergency telephone line useable for non-verbal communication

TapSOS is the UK’s first accredited non‑verbal 999 app enabling Deaf, speech‑impaired, neurodivergent users and people at risk to contact emergency services. It sends multilingual, GPS‑tagged alerts, shares profiles securely with responders, uses end‑to‑end encryption and had 3,000+ downloads by 2024.

Inclutech Ltd. is a UK-based tech company developing solutions for crisis communication, with a focus on emergency access for people with disabilities and high-risk groups. Its TapSOS app enables non-verbal emergency alerts in multiple languages, utilizing advanced technologies such as live GPS sharing and encrypted health profiles, and is fully integrated into the 999-emergency services in the UK. TapSOS has influenced the development of the 999-services in the UK, and is piloting to offer its services in Ireland, Canada, and the UAE.

Problems Targeted

Voice-dependent emergency services, such as 999 in the UK, exclude many persons with disabilities and those in unsafe or high-risk situations.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

In the UK, 999 is the official (voice-based) emergency telephone number to contact urgent services such as police, ambulance, fire brigade, and coastguard. Calls to 999 are free and can be made from any phone, even without credit, and are intended for situations where immediate help is needed. An operator will then connect to the appropriate response team. TapSOS is the UK’s first accredited non-verbal 999 app-based service, which enables equal emergency access for persons who are Deaf, speech-impaired, neurodivergent, or at risk of violence. Users register medical and accessibility profiles, which are securely shared with responders in crisis situations. The app’s multilingual interface supports multiple languages, easy-read formats, and integrates with GPS to provide precise location data to emergency services. Alerts are sent securely and can be customized for police, fire, or medical incidents. TapSOS uses advanced security and privacy standards (end-to-end encryption, compliance with Next Generation 999) and seeks to integrate with international 911/112 systems for cross-border accessibility. As a result, TapSOS has improved emergency access for thousands in the UK, with over 3,000 downloads in 2024 and over 18,000 people annually requiring non-verbal emergency access.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

TapSOS was initially supported by £400,000 in grants, and now operates through licensing agreements with public and private sector clients, including telecoms, transport, and utilities. The app’s modular adaptable design supports rapid replication and integration into different sectors such as utilities, transport, and violence prevention initiatives. (#ZeroCall26)

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