Qwest Center for Customers with Disabilities

Telecommunications Relay Service

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a free service that connects customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities with others, using either standard telephone equipment or telephone equipment that has been specifically designed for individuals with disabilities

Making a call is simple: dial 7-1-1 or the toll-free TRS number listed in your telephone directory. A trained Communications Assistant will answer your call and relay the telephone conversation between you and the party you are calling. All call information and conversations are confidential. Relay service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Long-distance calls placed for you can be billed collect, or to a pre-paid calling card, carrier calling card or third party.

There are several types of TRS calls.

• Captioned Telephone: This service requires a specially designed telephone that allows a person with hearing loss to receive word-for-word captions of the conversation while simultaneously listening to the voice of the other party.
• Computer (ASCII):  Users can access Relay by setting the communications software to the following protocols: speeds ranging from 300 to 1200 baud: 8 Bits, No Parity; 1 Stop Bit; Full Duplex. For speeds at or below 300 baud, follow the above using Half Duplex.
• Hearing-Carry-Over: HCO allows hearing individuals with very limited or no speech capability to type his or her conversation for the Communications Assistant to read aloud to the hearing person. The HCO user hears the other party’s response.
• Internet Relay: Connect to the relay using your computer or other web device. The Communications Assistant handles the call the same as a traditional relay call - "voicing" or reading everything you type to the other party - and typing everything the other party says for you to read on your screen.
• Spanish Relay: Spanish Relay is for Spanish speaking individuals with a hearing or speech disability.
• Speech-to-Speech: STS provides a specially trained Communications Assistant acting as the intermediary to help individuals with speech difficulties converse with others.
• Text Telephone: Also called TeleTypewriter, TTY is a specially designed typewriter-like device that allows users to carry on telephone conversations in the form of text conversations with the Communications Assistant.
• Video Relay Service:  VRS is a form of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) that enables persons with hearing disabilities who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with voice telephone users through video equipment, rather than through typed text. The VRS user and the Communications Assistant can see and communicate with each other in signed conversation
• Voice-Carry-Over: VCO enables people who have difficulty hearing on the phone to voice their conversations directly to the hearing person. The Communications Assistant types the hearing person’s response to the VCO user. VCO requires a specially designed telephone.

To locate TRS providers in your area, refer to the FCC’s Telecommunications Relay Service Directory at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trsphonebk.html.

TTY Users and Emergency Assistance (9-1-1):
TTY callers should directly dial 9-1-1 or other existing emergency numbers in emergency situations. All 9-1-1 centers are now equipped to handle TTY calls. After the 9-1-1 dispatcher answers the call, pressing the space bar may help you inform the dispatcher this is a TTY call. Dial 9-1-1 directly, as using Relay service for 9-1-1 may result in a delay to getting your urgent message through.

For more information about the services listed above, contact a Qwest disabilities consultant at 1 800-223-3131.