TTY Users:
 
A TTY (text telephone) allows a speech impaired user to type his or her conversation to a Communication Assistant (CA), who then reads the typed conversation to a standard phone user. The CA relays the standard phone user’s spoken words by typing them back to the TTY user.  Make a call to the relay directly from a TTY.
 
Hearing Carry Over Users:
 
Hearing Carry Over (HCO) allows a speech impaired user with hearing capability to listen to the person he or she is calling. The HCO user types his or her conversation for the Communication Assistant (CA) to read to the standard telephone user.
 
How to make a HCO call:

1. Dial 711 or 1.800.735.2900 using your TTY.
2. OTRS will answer by typing "8234" (for CA identification), the letter "F" or "M" (for CA gender), and "NUMBER CALLING PLS GA."
3. Type in the area code and telephone number you wish to call, and then type "HCO PLEASE GA."
4. The CA will make the connection and voice your typed conversation to the party you are calling. After you type "GA," pick up the handset to listen to the spoken reply.

 
Receiving a HCO Relay Call:

1. Type your greeting on your TTY, followed by "PLEASE USE HCO GA."
2. CA will type "OTRS Relay (CA Number) with a call HCO is on." Pick up your phone to listen.
3. You will hear the CA say: "The HCO user may begin typing now."
4. Type your message. When you are finished, type "GA" and pick up the handset and listen to the CA read everything you typed to the person. You will also hear the person’s response.
5. When you hear "Go ahead," place the handset back on the acoustic coupler.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you finish your call. To indicate the end of the conversation, type "SK" (Signing off) or "good bye."

 
Note: If your TTY has a direct connect feature, there is a special jack that you may be able to purchase from a store that sells telephone equipment. It is called a "Y" jack. It allows you to connect both your phone and your TTY to the telephone jack, eliminating the need to keep picking up and replacing the telephone handset. You can keep the telephone handset up to your ear and still be able to hear the other party directly, even though you are typing your responses back to them.
 
Speech to Speech Users (STS):
 
Communication Assistants (CAs) are also trained as specialists for persons with speech impairments, serving as the user’s voice and repeating his or her responses to the party he or she has called. OTRS’s unparalleled equipment and exceptional STS Communication Assistant (CA) training ensure that users with speech impairments will be heard and understood. There may be instances where an STS user will be asked to repeat his or her message to ensure that it is relayed correctly.
 
How does STS work?

1. Using your standard phone, dial 1.800.735.7525.
2. The CA will answer by saying "OTRS, Go ahead."
3. Say "STS" or "Speech to Speech."
4. An STS CA will come on line and say: "OTRS STS (CA Number), Go ahead."
5. Give the CA the number you want to dial.
6. The CA will verify the number with you before dialing, and will explain STS to the party you are calling if necessary.
7. The CA will ask you two questions: "Shall I tell them who is calling?", and, "Would you like to ask for a specific person?"
8. Answering yes to these questions is completely optional. It is YOUR call and YOU control what information you want the CA to have.

 
What happens when the person I am calling answers?
 
The CA will say "Hello, this is OTRS speech-to-speech (CA Number) with a call. Do you know how to use Speech-To-Speech?" The CA will explain how to use STS if necessary. You will be able to hear the entire conversation. The CA will then say to you, "Caller, please go ahead." You may now begin speaking to the person you called. The CA will re-voice what you say every 3 to 4 words. You also can ask the CA to "Stay in the background" which means the operator will only re-voice when the party you have called cannot understand what you are saying. If at any time during the call you wish to have the CA re-voice for you, you need only tell him or her.
 
What happens if the operator does not understand what I am saying?
 
Communication Assistants are specially trained to re-voice for a variety of speech disabilities. The CA may ask you to repeat a word or a phrase that you have said, in order to ensure that your message is re-voiced accurately. All calls are processed with 100% confidentiality and patience.
 
 

For more information about Speech to Speech, please visit www.sprintsts.com