What is Text Relay?

Text is known as TTY or TDD. The abbreviations stand for "Telecommunications Device for the Deaf". It is where a deaf person types on a teletypwriter (almost like a typewriter, not a keyboard).

One can use the computer to call Relay - a deaf person would do this by using IP Relay (Sprint and MCI provides this service).

This services require "go ahead" (GA) for the caller to make his/her conversation next. For example:

Mother: (Dials 7-1-1)

Relay Agent: Hello, what number do you want to call?

Mother: 543-555-4411

Relay Agent: (dials 549-555-4411)

Shawn: (answers 'flashing' TTY) Hello GA

Relay Agent: Hello this is Relay Agent #### with a call.

Shawn: "HELLO THIS IS SHAWN GA (go ahead)

Relay Agent voices what Shawn types.

Mother: "Hello Shawn this is your Mom. How are you today? GA

Relay Agent types what Mother speaks.

Shawn: "HI MOM EVERYTHING'S GOING GOOD. I'M HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU" GA

Mother: "I am happy to be able to talk to you at home, it has been a while since we talked. GA

Shawn: "YEAH, ITS BEEN A WHILE. SCHOOL IS GOOD. DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THANKSGIVING?" GA

Mother: "Yeah, we're wondering if you'll be coming home for Thanksgiving?" GA

Shawn: "I AM COMING HOME. AS SOON AS I GET A FEW THINGS DONE, I'LL CALL FOR AIRLINE COSTS OR MAYBE DRIVE. I'LL LET YOU KNOW IN A FEW DAYS, OK?" GA

Mother: "Ok, great. Let me know. ILY" GA/SK

Shawn: "OK I WILL DO THAT SOON. ILY TOO" GA/SK

And so forth, back and forth until the call completes with a SK and a hang up.

What is Video Relay?

Video Relay Services is known as VRS. Deaf people use the word "VP" as an abbreviation of videophone. It consists of a videocamera, placed upon a TV, laptop or attached to a phone. The deaf person signs to the operator, who also signs and wears a telephone attached to his/her ear. The operator speaks to the person talking on his/her phone. The conversation is relayed back and forth.

This is an unique way to communicate because you and I do not have to use "GA" or "SK". We can converse as we would with our friends, interruptions and information exchange is smooth.

For example:

Relay Operator: "Hello this is a Video Relay Call from a consumer who is deaf and using sign language."

Below conversation is relayed in ASL or other form of sign language

Mary: "HELLO THIS IS MARY, AM I SPEAKING TO BOB K.?" Operator voices Mary's signing...

Bob: "Hi Mary, yeah this is me Bob. How are you?" Operator signs Bob's voicing.... and so on....

Mary: "DOING GREAT BOB. I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK ON THE ORDER OF WINDOWS."

Bob: "Yeah, let me check, please hold...."

Mary: Interupts the hold "I GOT YOUR MESSAGE THIS MORNING, ABOUT UMM LET ME SEE - THE ORDER NUMBER 5470"

Bob: "Yeah? Great, that's helpful!"

So forth until the call is completed with a "bye" from both sides.

For a hearing person to call, lets use Bob:

Bob: (Dials 866-327-8877)

Relay Agent: This is SVRS number ###. What number would you like to call?

Bob: 543-555-4411 please. Ask for Mary

Relay Agent: Ok, please wait while I dial the number. (Dials 543-555-4411)

Mary: (answers 'flashing' videophone/light) Hello

Relay Agent: This is SVRS number ###. You have a call from someone.

Mary: Oh, who's calling?

Then it goes on...

1. Dial either number above.
2. When you get an agent, inform them of the phone number to reach the deaf person.
3. The agent will dial the number and we will have a conversation when connected.
4. Hope to talk to you!!! :)

Tips for Using Relay Services:

• Call either type of Relay Services first, then give the agent the phone number given to you to contact the deaf person.
• Do not use "tell him/her...." or "will he/she...?" This etiquette is inapprorpriate for a conversation. This is a regular conversation in a different way. Approach the conversation as you would with a family member, close friend, or any other type of conversation. For example, "You".
• For Text Relay, it is slower to process information. You are not the only one occaisonally impatient with the process, so is the deaf person on the other end of the line.
• GA is "Go Ahead". SK is "Stop Keying". ILY is "I Love You". Abbreviated popular expressions are well used thanks to the Instant Messaging programs in place. Before IM, there were standard responses, now the expressions seen on IM will also be seen on the TTY.

Business Owners: Please Bring your Attention to Scams; Article below (credited and cited):

Tips for Businesses: Preventing Scam, Protecting your Business and maintaining a good relationship with the Deaf Community via telephone methods.

The below article (cited and credited) also includes videophone calls.

From the newsroom of the WHOI-TV, Channel 19 News, Creve Coeur, Illinois, Tuesday, January 16, 2007 .....
Telephone scam is back is business By Ian Schwartz

PEORIA -- A tool for the deaf that has been used to defraud business is making a come back. Bonnie Bakin of the Better Business bureau said con artists will use a telecommunications device for the deaf or TDD, to buy products from a business.

Communicating through an operator, scammers can hide their identity. Bakin said they will order large amounts of expensive items and pay with stolen credit cards or phony checks.

She said businesses should get personal information from the caller making the purchase.

"And then they need to know the name of the issuer of the credit card, as well as the security code on the back of the card, and the 1800 number for the company,”

Bakin said. “Then the business needs to verify all of that information before they ship the product." Bakin said if the caller refuses to provide that information, a company should refuse to do business with them.

Copyright 2007 WHOI