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Overview n History of Relay n Hands-on TTY n Live Relay Call n Features/Equipment n Speech to Speech / Spanish Relay n Internet/Video Relay n Equipment Voucher Program n Customer Service

History of Relay n Message Center u Number of days limited u Hours limited u Number of calls limited u Length of call limited

History of Relay n Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) u Passed in 1990 u Requires full access for people with disabilities - Functional Equivalency

Telecommunications Relay System n Open 24 hours n 7 days/365 days n Unlimited number of calls n Unlimited length of call n Goal: Independent, not rely on others for phone calls

Teletypewriter (TTY) n Old Model n New Model

TTY’s of all sizes n TTY n Compact TTY n PocketComm n Pager/Smart Phone n Pay Phone

TTY Abbreviations n GA = Go Ahead n Q, QQ = Use instead of a ? n SK = Stop Keying n XXX = Crossing out an error

Voice To TTY TTY to Voice n 711 n TTY n Voice Voice user CA TTY user

Role of Communication Assistant n Function: Relays calls between TTY users and non-TTY users n Follows a strict Code of Ethics. u Keeps all information confidential u Cannot record or keep information from calls

Role of Communication Assistant n Relays calls verbatim u If you type in ASL, CA will voice in ASL u ASL: Store me go. English: I will go to the store. u You can ask for ASL Translator to assist if necessary n Types exactly what they hear from voice user u Vocal inflection of voice user will be relayed u (Sounds impatient) (Sounds pleasant)

Role of Communication Assistant n Follows TTY user’s instructions during call u TTY user must type their requests in parenthesis u (Sound angry) (Smile) (Sympathetic) n Types background sounds u Types the sounds in parenthesis u (Dog Barking) (Baby Crying)

Role of Communication Assistant n Gives status of the call to both callers u To the Voice user: “Still typing...” u To the TTY user: (Holding) or (Explaining relay) n Do not engage in conversation with the CA. Speak directly to the TTY users. u Do not say “Tell her I said...” (The CA will type exactly what they hear.)

Making or Receiving a Relay Call n WTRS CA 1234 M or F NBR PLS GA n When a hearing person receives a relay call, the CA will say: u “Hello, this is WI Relay CA 1234 with a relay call from someone who may be deaf or hard of hearing. Have you received a relay call before?” u If “yes,” then the call will proceed. u If “no,” then the CA will explain how to use relay before processing the call.

Making or Receiving a Relay Call n Voice Person calling to TTY person: n Wisconsin Relay CA 1234 area code and number to dial please n WTRS CA 1234 M or F with a relay call ga

Voice Carry Over (VCO) CA VCO user Voice user

VCO Equipment n AmeriPhone u Looks like regular phone n TTY & Telephone u 2 equipment u 2 Line VCO n UniPhone u Voicing ability u Typing ability n PocketVCO

Hearing Carry Over (HCO) HCO user CA Voice user

HCO Equipment n TTY & Phone u 2 equipment u 2 Line HCO n UniPhone u Hearing ability u Reading ability n PocketCom

Speech to Speech n For people with speech disabilities n Dr. Bob Segalman n Spanish Relay n Spanish to Spanish u TTY, Voice, VCO, HCO n English and Spanish Translation n

Wisconsin Voucher Programs n Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) u Assists people with disabilities buy equipment they need for telephone services F Hard of Hearing $200 F Deaf $800 F Speech Disabled $1,600 F Deaf & Blind $7,200 u Pays $100 co-payment u Sponsored by WI Universal Service Fund

Wisconsin Voucher Programs n Telecommunication Assistance Program (TAP) u Pays $100 TEPP co-payment for low- income household n Contact local Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) or local Independent Living Centers

Customer Service n Available 24 hours, 7 days per week n Presentations n Exhibit Booth n Home Visit n Contact Information u Voice u TTY u Spanish Voice/TTY u Fax u u