Abstract: An emergency telecommunication system for the hearing or speech impaired includes an interface electrically connecting the emergency system to a telephone communication system, a programmable gate array, a keyboard connected to the programmable gate array, a register connected to the programmable gate array for storing at least one telephone number of the telephone communication system, and a graphic display device connected to the programmable gate array and to the register. The system also includes devices for receiving and transmitting signals in ASCII format, Baudot format, and DTMF signals, and for receiving and transmitting normal voice communications simultaneously with one of the ASCII and Baudot format and DTMF signals. Switches selectively connect each of the receiving and transmitting devices in independent receiving and transmitting modes between the interface and the programmable gate array.