Since I am located in the United States I am afraid my sources of information is mostly limited to this country. If you know of TTY relay services available in other countries please do e-mail me with that information at ashettle@patriot.XnetX so I can add it to this list (please REMOVE all X's from my email address before sending your email. I have added these X's to fool spam programs that harvest email addresses from the web for the purposes of sending spam to them. So far, I have managed to keep my new email account at XXashettle@patriotX.net mostly spam free and would like to keep it that way. Thank you.)
If you are hearing and have never used the TTY relay service before, relax: Communication assistants at TTY relay services are always happy to answer your questions about how to use their service. Just call the appropriate number for your region, or choose one of your nationwide relay services (use the voice line, if there is a choice).
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR USING TTY RELAY SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES. YES, THAT MEANS USING RELAY IS COMPLETELY FREE. The same is probably also true for similar services in other countries, but check the policies when calling your local service. Usual long distance phone charges do, however, still apply for long distance calls.
This should go without saying, but in almost all cases, you need to know the local language to use the relay service of a particular country (for example, to use the TTY relay service in the United States you should know English; to use the relay service in Costa Rica, you should know Spanish, etc.) A few states in the United States do also provide service in Spanish, but I am not aware of which states these are. If you know of any TTY relay services that are able to assist clients in some language other than the obvious, please let me know.
Some acronyms and terminology to be aware of when reading this list:
TTY = Teletypewriter. Also known as TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) or TT
(Text Telephone). In some countries, it is known as a "minicom." TTYs are used
by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired to communicate on
the phone. A TTY enables users to type and read for communication instead of
speaking and listening.
Telebraille = Similar to a TTY, but using braille instead of text. Used by deaf-blind people to enable them to communicate on the phone. Unfortunately, telebraille equipment is not yet compatible with standard TTY equipment.
VCO = Voice Carry Over. Some deaf and hard of hearing people need TTY relay assistance to understand what is being said on the telephone but are able to speak clearly. If a VCO (voice carry over) feature is available, they can speak directly to their contact while still using relay to understand what is being said.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I am NOT any kind of "expert" on TTY relay services, TTYs, computers, or any other associated technology. That means I am NOT able to answer questions like "How do I set up my computer so I can use it like a TTY?" or, "Where do I buy a TTY?" or whatever. Please do NOT email me with questions of this nature. I won't know the answer, and in many cases I won't know where to refer you. Sorry. You'll have to look somewhere else on the web.
OPEN REQUEST: Please make this page obsolete. I set up this listing of TTY relay services some years ago because I thought it might help a few people. I've left it here because I still think it can be useful, and because I haven't heard of anything better on the web (though, admittedly, I haven't gone looking). However, I don't have the time and energy to double check my information, or to make sure all my information is current, or to obtain new information (e.g., additional countries, etc.). I would much rather devote any time and energy I have to improving my deafintl email discussion list for people with an interest in deaf communities in developing nations (the "Third World") or raising money for the International Deaf Education and Advancement Fund. I would be delighted to learn of another web page somewhere that has more up-to-date or more extensive information about TTY relay services than this one. That way, I could simply link to that page instead of providing the information myself. Please let me know (preferably at XXashettle@patriot.netX, omit all Xs) if you know of a web page that's like this one but better, or let me know if you're willing to do the work to set up a web page like it yourself.
Argentina
Nationwide relay services
Someone sent me email saying that the relay service in Argentina operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, this person did not provide me with the phone number for the relay service in Argentina.
Aregentina ??
Brasil
Nationwide relay services
The relay service in Brasil (Brazil) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Brasil 1402
Canada
Nationwide relay services
The relay service in Canada operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Relay operators are bilingual in English and French.
Canada (all provinces) 1 (800) 855-0511 (Voice) Canada (all provinces) 711 (TTY)
Costa Rica
Nationwide relay services
The Costa Rican relay service is available during business hours Monday through Friday and for limited hours on the weekend. Someone please let me know if you know more precisely what their hours are.
Costa Rica 138
Italy
Nationwide relay services
The hours for the Italian relay service is: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays and holidays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Italy 0039/055-650-5551 (Voice) Italy 0039/055-650-5552 (TTY)
United States
Nationwide relay services
All TTY relay services listed here for the United States are available 24 hours a day every day, including weekends and holidays.
AT&T (800) 855-2880 (TTY) AT&T (800) 855-2881 (Voice) AT&T (800) 855-2882 (ASCII service) (not sure what carrier) (800) 833-6385 (Telebraille) MCI (800) 688-4889 (Voice/TTY) Sprint (800) 877-8973 (Voice/TTY) (not sure what carrier) (800) 833-6386 (Text/Speech)
State by state relay services in the U.S.
Please note that, in many states, you can now dial
711
to reach the your local TTY relay service, both with voice and
with TTY. If the number in the list provided below does not seem
to work for your state, please try dialing 711. Also, please
inform me if you
see any mistakes in this list, ideally at both
red_trek@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu and at ashettleX@patriot.net (REMOVE
the X in the second email address). Thank you.
Alabama (800) 548-2546 (TTY) Alabama (800) 548-2547 (Voice) Alaska (800) 770-8973 (TTY) Alaska (800) 770-8255 (Voice) Arizona (800) 367-8939 (TTY) Arizona (800) 842-4681 (Voice) Arkansas (800) 285-1131 (TTY) Arkansas (800) 285-1121 (Voice) California (800) 735-2929 (TTY) California (800) 735-2922 (Voice) Colorado (800) 659-2656 (TTY) Colorado (800) 659-3656 (Voice) Colorado (800) 659-4656 (ASCII service) Connecticut (800) 842-9710 (TTY) Connecticut (800) 833-8134 (Voice) Delaware (800) 232-5460 (TTY) Delaware (800) 232-5470 (Voice) District of Columbia 711 (TTY/Voice) Florida (800) 955-8771 (TTY) Florida (800) 955-8770 (Voice) Georgia (800) 255-0056 (TTY) Georgia (800) 255-0135 (Voice) Hawaii (808) 643-8833 (TTY) Hawaii (808) 643-8255 (Voice) Idaho (800) 377-3529 (TTY) Idaho (800) 377-1363 (Voice) Illinois (800) 526-0844 (TTY) Illinois (800) 526-0857 (Voice/TTY) Indiana (800) 743-3333 (Voice/TTY) Iowa (800) 735-2942 (TTY) Iowa (800) 735-2943 (Voice) Kansas (800) 766-3777 (Voice/TTY) Kentucky (800) 648-6056 (TTY) Kentucky (800) 648-6057 (Voice) Louisiana (800) 846-5277 (TTY) Louisiana (800) 947-5277 (Voice) Maine (instate) 955-3323 (TTY) Maine (instate) 955-3777 (Voice) Maine (outstate) (800) 437-1120 (TTY) Maine (outstate) (800) 457-1220 (Voice) Maryland 711 (Voice, in Maryland only) Maryland (888) 826-9673 (VCO) (888-VCO-WORD) Maryland (877-735-5151 (ASCII service) Maryland (900) 386-3323 for 900 services (pay per call) Maryland (800) 785-5630 (speech to speech relay) Maryland (800) 735-2258 (Voice/TTY) (800 REL-BALT) Massachusetts (800) 439-2370 (Voice/TTY) Michigan (800) 649-3777 (Voice/TTY) Minnesota (800) 627-3529 (Voice/TTY) Mississippi (800) 582-2233 (Voice/TTY) Missouri (800) 735-2966 (TTY) Missouri (800) 735-2466 (Voice) Montana (800) 253-4091 (TTY) Montana (800) 253-4093 (Voice) Nebraska (800) 833-7352 (TTY) Nebraska (800) 833-0920 (Voice) Nevada (800) 326-6868 (TTY) Nevada (800) 326-6888 (Voice) New Hampshire (800) 735-2964 (Voice/TTY) New Jersey (800) 852-7899 (TTY) New Jersey (800) 852-7897 (Voice) New Mexico (800) 659-8331 (TTY) New Mexico (800) 659-1779 (Voice) New York (800) 662-1220 (TTY) New York (800) 421-1220 (Voice) North Carolina (800) 735-2962 (TTY) North Carolina (800) 735-8262 (Voice) North Dakota (800) 366-6888 (TTY) North Dakota (800) 366-6889 (Voice/TTY) Ohio (800) 750-0750 (Voice/TTY) Oklahoma (800) 722-0353 (Voice/TTY) Oklahoma/Okla. City (800) 522-8506 (Voice/TTY) Oregon (800) 735-2900 (Voice/TTY) Pennsylvania (800) 654-5984 (TTY) Pennsylvania (800) 654-5988 (Voice) Rhode Island (800) 745-6575 (Voice) Rhode Island (800) 745-1570 South Carolina (800) 735-2905 (TTY only) South Dakota (800) 877-1113 (Voice/TTY) Tennessee (800) 848-0298 (TTY) Tennessee (800) 848-0299 (Voice) Texas (800) 735-2989 (TTY) Texas (800) 735-2988 (Voice) Texas (800) 735-2991 (ASCII service) Utah (800) 346-4128 (Voice/TTY) Utah/Logan (801) 752-9596 (Voice/TTY) Utah/Ogden (801) 546-2982 (Voice/TTY) Utah/Provo/Orem (801) 374-2504 (Voice/TTY) Utah/Salt Lake City (801) 298-9484 (Voice/TTY) Vermont (800) 253-0191 (TTY) Vermont (800) 253-0195 (Voice) Vermont (877) 253-7244 (IN FRENCH, Voice/TTY) Virginia 711 (Voice/TTY) Washington (800) 833-6384 (TTY) Washington (800) 833-6388 (Voice) Washington (800) 833-6385 (Telebraille) West Virginia (800) 982-8772 (TTY) West Virginia (800) 982-8771 (Voice) Wisconsin (800) 947-3529 (TTY) Wisconsin (800) 947-6644 (Voice) Wyoming (800) 877-9965 (TTY) Wyoming (800) 877-9975 (Voice)
Most of the above numbers were originally obtained from a list that was last updated in February, 1996. On occasion I have been able to update a few of these numbers, thanks to the assistance of various individuals who have e-mailed me with corrections. However, be aware that many numbers on this page may still be out of date. If this is the case for your state, try dialing 711.
Please let me know of any corrections/updates I need to
make. Please also let me know about relay services you
are aware of in countries other than the United States.
You can email me at the following two email addresses (but
remove the "X" from the second):
red_trek@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu, Xashettle@patriot.net
General note: TTYs (teletype equipment) are also sometimes called TDDs (tele device for the deaf) or TT (teletext). If you've seen these terms used in other places, don't be confused--they all refer to the same thing. Also, in Europe, TTYs are called "minicoms." Let me know if you know of any other international names for TTYs/minicoms
If you've ever slipped and said "TTD" or "TTP" or other incorrect T-oriented alphabet soup--relax! You haven't offended any one. In fact, these errors are so common that you probably haven't even confused anyone. At most you've amused a few people with your mistake.
Thanks to Nancy Seidman for updating the Maryland, U.S., information and for helping turn this into an international listing for the first time by giving me information on the TTY relay service in Italy. Chris Reese gave me the information on Canada and the French relay service in Vermont. Other individuals have updated information for other countries and U.S. states over the years, but unfortunately I don't have their names immediately at hand to give them due credit. If you've given me information in the past and want to see your name up here, please contact me.
This page was last updated on 6 December 2003 by Andrea Shettle, who can be reached by email at ashettle@Xpatriot.net (remove the "X" before sending your email -- it's not part of the email address)..