How to Place Calls From a TTY Machine
A TTY Device, (otherwise known as a teletypewriter), allows hearing- and verbally-impaired people to use the telephone. With a little practice, you can learn how to use a TTY machine to place calls to other TTY users, or to anyone with a telephone.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Call Another TTY User
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1
Attach the phone handset to the modem. Turn the TTY device on and enter the access code if your machine requires one. Dial the TTY user's telephone number. Watch the indicator light for your party to answer the phone.
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2
Wait for the answering message. The party will type in his or her identity and a short greeting, such as, "Hello, this is Jan. GA." GA stands for "Go Ahead," the indication that it's your turn to speak. If there is no answering message, a hearing person answered the phone. Signal a hearing person to turn on the TTY machine by pressing the space bar repeatedly for a second or two.
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3
Type in your own greeting at the GA prompt. Identify yourself immediately so that you are not considered rude. Don't forget to add GA at the end, so the other person knows that it's his or her turn to speak.
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4
Send your messages in turn, back and forth. You must wait for the GA signal before beginning your message; only one person can send a TTY message at a time. To save time, it's common to use abbreviations during the conversation. (See our Resources section.)
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5
Continue typing until the conversation is finished. To end the call, type "GA to SK." SK stands for Stop Keying, and indicates you are through with the conversation. After the other person responds with a corresponding SK code, hang up the phone to end the call.
Call a Hearing Person Using TTY Relay
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1
Follow Step 1 above, dialing your state relay access number. The operator will respond with his or her ID number and gender, then ask for the number you intend to call.
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2
Speak or type the area code and number you are calling. Indicate the type of call you require to the operator. Type "GA" (Go Ahead) to commence a call where conversation both to and from you is in typed format. If you're hearing impaired and want to read what is being said to you, but prefer to speak your responses, simply ask your operator for a Voice Carry-Over call. "VCO please. Go ahead." If you are a voice-impaired user who wishes to listen to the other party but type responses, request a Hearing Carry-Over call by typing "HCO please, GA."
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3
Converse directly with the other party in your chosen format. Don't acknowledge the operator, ("Tell him I said...") the operator is not part of the conversation. Alternate turns. Remember to indicate the other party's turn to speak by saying Go Ahead or typing GA.
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4
Indicate the end of the conversation by saying Goodbye or typing "GA for SK." (Go Ahead/Stop Keying) Politely wait for the corresponding goodbye before hanging up the phone. You can thank the operator for his or her help at this time if you like. Hang up the phone, and turn off the TTY.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When calling a TTY user, allow the phone to ring numerous times. When a person relies upon something other than sound to attract attention to a ringing phone, it can take longer to realize the telephone is ringing.
