TTY Devices Information

TTY devices allow people who are disabled to communicate through the telephone. These devices allow users to type messages and receive them in text form.

Who Are They For?

TTY devices are used primarily by people who are hearing impaired or deaf.

What Do They Do?

TTY devices help the hearing disabled to have conversations using the telephone, both with each other as well as people who are not hearing impaired.

How Do They Work?

The TTY device allows the hearing impaired to type their message, which is either translated by the device or an operator into speech. The speech messages that are given back are translated into text and appear on the TTY device's screen. These devices also allow for conversations that are completely in text form.

Cell Phones

In recent years many cell phone companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint have come out with TTY-enabled cell phones that allow users to access TTY software and services on their handheld devices.

Computers

TTY users can access online calling services from their home computer. These services allow them to type their message, and an operator will translate the message into speech for the recipient of the call.

References

• TTY Consumer Facts
• About TTY

Resources

• TTY Facts