; Whereas telecommunicators at public safety answering points answer more than 200,000,000 9–1–1 calls each year in the United States; Whereas a growing number of 9–1–1 calls are made using wireless and Internet Protocol-based communications services; Whereas a growing segment of the population of the United States, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who suffer from speech or language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or anxiety, is increasingly communicating with nontraditional text, video, and instant messaging communications services and expects those services to be able to connect directly to 9–1–1; Whereas Next Generation 9-1-1 promises enhanced accessibility, interoperability, flexibility, and features, as well as network resiliency and reliability; Whereas the growth in usage and diversification of means of communication to 9–1–1 services, including mobile and Internet Protocol-based systems, impose unique challenges for accessing 9–1–1 and, thus, require increased education and awareness about the emergency communications capabilities of these different methods of communication; Whereas numerous other N–1–1 and 800 number services exist for nonemergency situations, including 2–1–1, 3–1–1, 5–1–1, 7–1–1, 8–1–1, poison control centers, and mental health hotlines, and the public needs to be educated on when to use those services in addition to or instead of 9–1–1; Whereas international visitors and immigrants make up an increasing percentage of the population of the United States each year, and visitors and immigrants may have limited knowledge of the emergency calling system in the United States; Whereas people of all ages use 9–1–1, and it is critical to educate people on the proper use of 9–1–1; Whereas senior citizens are highly likely to need to access 9–1–1 and many senior citizens are learning to use new technology