The deaf use their eyes to “hear” by reading lips and learning American Sign Language (ASL). The standard telecommunications tool is the Text Telephone (TTY) system that permits the exchange of type written messages via a phone line. Many agencies and businesses offer this type of inbound service for clients and customers. 

 

 

TTY stands for Text Telephone. It is also sometimes called a TDD, or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf.  TTY is the more widely accepted term.  TTYs are used by many people, not just people who are deaf.

 

A TTY is a special device that lets people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired use the telephone to communicate.   This system allows them to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening.  TTY equipment is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate.

 

To use a TTY, you set a telephone handset onto special acoustic cups built into the TTY (some TTY models can be plugged directly into a telephone line).  Then, type the message you want to send on the TTY's keyboard. As you type, the message is sent over the phone line, just like your voice would be sent over the phone line if you were speaking. You can read the other person's response on the TTY's text display.

 

If you don't have a TTY, you can still call a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired by using the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).  With TRS, a special operator types whatever you say so that the person you are calling can read your words on his or her TTY display.  He or she will type back a response, which the TRS operator will read aloud for you to hear over the phone. Toll free TRS services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, simply dial 711. (Source: http://www.abouttty.com)

 

The various text messaging systems have been upgraded to the Video Phone. These days with an Internet connection and Video Relay Service, the deaf community and the people who have the ability to hear are connected.

 

I was introduced to this technology by Cindy and Brad Hoffman, co-managers of The Green Roof Inn in Platea Pennsylvania. Cindy has been working with the deaf community for years, and recently acquired a Sorenson Video Phone for the Inn.  The Hoffmans are anxious to share information about their new service.  They encourage deaf and hearing impaired individuals to stop by and ask questions.  You can even take the system for a test drive by placing a call.  You do not have to be a guest at the inn.

 

The following diagram shows how it works for a deaf person to call a “hearing” location or person. (Click image for larger view).

 

As you can see, the system relies on a “relay translator” to connect the two parties. 

 

A hearing person who desires to talk to a deaf person who owns a video phone simply calls a toll free number of the relay service and the hearing to deaf “connection” is made. The relay translator converts sign language to verbal communications.

 

If both the caller and person called are deaf, they can communicate.  One calls the other and the video phone “flashes” for the incoming call. Once answered, the two can see each other on a split screen video display.  They then use sign language to “chat”.

 

Here is how the folks at Sorenson describe their service and equipment. (Source http://www.sorensonvrs.com)

 

Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS) is a free service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that enables anyone to conduct video relay calls with family, friends, or business associates through a certified ASL interpreter via a high-speed Internet connection and a video relay solution (or VRS call option).

 

 

Video relay calls are placed over a high-speed or broadband Internet connection (i.e. DSL, cable, or T1 line) through an easy-to-use Sorenson VP-100 videophone appliance connected to a TV, or through a personal computer equipped with a Web camera and Sorenson EnVision SL (or Microsoft NetMeeting) software. The deaf user sees an ASL interpreter on their TV and signs to the interpreter, who then contacts the hearing user via a standard phone line and relays the conversation between the two parties.

 

Hearing customers can also place video relay calls to any deaf or hard-of-hearing individual by simply dialing the toll free number 1-866-FAST-VRS (1-866-327-8877) with a standard telephone.   If you would like to leave a message, the Relay Service will send a video message via e-mail in ASL. 

 

If this story has generated more questions and you have an Internet connection, then go to Sorenson Frequently Asked Questions page.  You can see a testimonial from a VRS user by clicking here.  

 

No online connection?

You can call The Green Roof Inn @ 814-774-7072. The VRS phone number is 814-774-9096