ERS History

Around 2001, Marcus Turley was enjoying an evening out with friends and was discussing his dream of launching an Internet Relay Service and to establish an international Deaf Civil Rights Organization.   Thinking it was the drink talking, Marcus thought no more about this dream but as always continued to fight for Deaf rights to be recognized.   On St Patrick’s Day 2006, Marcus recalled that evening long ago and was reminded about the Internet Relay Service he had hoped to launch so started work on the project that very week, beginning a public consultation to see if Deaf and Hard of Hearing people would like to use such a service.   After the positive results of the consultation, Marcus pressed on with the project and the service was launched on the 1st July 2006.   That day was a very memorable day as not only was it the launch of ERS but a Gay Pride day was being celebrated in London while Marcus was handing out marketing cards in Trafalgar Square and the England football team had their World Cup hopes dashed by penalties in the game with Portugal!

From that day, ERS has grown globally. Marcus has been able to launch Spanish, Italian and German Relay services.   Currently working on the launch of two new services; the ERS Emergency Service where registered users can contact the emergency services by text/SMS through an ERS Relay Operator and ERS Taxis service where users can text through their journey requirements to the ERS service and a Relay Operator will make the booking with a local taxi firm on their behalf.

KEY DATES

  • 1st July 2006 – European Relay Service launched in the UK and Ireland.
  • 1st January 2007 – Hebrew ERS Israel launched
  • Leadership recognized by the European Communication Commission 
  • 17th March 2007 – ERS setup in USA - St Patrick's Day!
  • 1st July 2007 – ERS setup for  Latino Spanish Countries for Spanish Deaf and HOH..
  • 1st August 2007 – ERS setup in Canada
  • 1st August 2007 – ERS setup in Australia
  • 19th September 2007 – ERS setup in New Zealand
  • 20th August 2008 - ERS USA, Inc applied to the FCC for telephone license and was subsequently successful.
  • 18th September 2008 - ERS USA, Inc applied to the FCC for TRS certification.


Marcus feels strong in the belief that he will be able to help push the Deaf community through a new era with civil rights being recognised across Europe!