Late 1990s –

• Speech-to-speech relay service implemented

• Transition to digital wireless introduces TTY garbling; FCC orders problem fixed under E-911 rule

• PSAPs required by DOJ to be able to handle TTY calls at every call-taker station

• Interactive pagers became popular in urban areas

• Instant Messaging become popular while people are on line

• SMS popular among deaf people in other countries

• Instant messaging becomes popular

• Web provides further alternatives to phone calls for getting some information

• Multiple IP text conversation standards are written in a number of standards groups (ITU, IETF primarily)

• Two new laws for improving accessibility: Section 508 and Section 255

• TTY and fax use is reduced