Signing For Dummies (62 page)

A TTY Conversation

Mike and Mark are chatting on the TTY (phone) about a car show. Notice how they converse using TTY etiquette.

Mike:
Q hey enjoy the cr show ga

English: Hey, did you enjoy the car show?

Mark:
Yes, Q want to go tmw ga

English: Yes. Do you want to go tomorrow?

Mike:
No I hv an appt ga

English: No, I have an appointment.

Mark:
oic, ok, I’ll call u ltr ga

English: Oh, I see. Okay, I’ll call you later.

Mike:
Great take care ga sk sk

English: Great. Take care.

Mark: sk sk

Here are a few tips on TTY usage:

Don’t interrupt a person while he’s typing; allow him to give you a “go ahead” (GA).
Interrupting someone during a typical phone conversation may be rude, but doing so doesn’t cause the phone to malfunction. On the TTY, though, taking turns is necessary because the TTY has sound activation tones (beeps) that are converted to letters that are punched from the keyboard. If two people try talking at the same time, the sentences won’t appear coherently.

If you make an error, just type “XXX” next to the sentence that you want to erase.
If you make a small typo of just a letter or word, though, use the delete or backspace key like usual.

Don’t be shy about expressing your emotions.
Words such as smile, grin, ha-ha, and others can be added to the end of your sentence for emphasis.

Relying on Relay Services

Relay service is just that — a telephone service that relays information to a caller who doesn’t have or isn’t using a TTY. A toll-free number connects you to a TTY operator. You can find this number in the front section of any phone book under Directory Services or from any agency that provides services for the Deaf or hard-of-hearing. The relay service is also extended to the speech-disabled.

You can choose one of many numbers when using the relay service. Just pick the one that will best suit your needs:

One number is a voice number that a hearing person uses to call another TTY user or a TTY number that a Deaf caller can dial to contact a relay operator to call someone who doesn’t have a TTY. Each state has a different number.

Another one is a three digit number, 711, that will connect a non-TTY caller to any state’s relay service.

TTY users can call the
Operator Services for the Deaf
(OSD) for directory assistance at 800-885-4000. All states have their own relay service.

To call the relay internationally, dial 605-224-1837.

Relay service operators are usually very skilled typists, although we’ve experienced a couple of them who were slower than snails with sprained ankles! Don’t be intimidated by the relay service. Actually, after you’ve used the relay service a few times and experienced how time-consuming a three-way conversation can be, you’ll want to get your own TTY.

Using a relay service

When you call the voice operator, the first thing the operator will say is, “This is operator _____.” You’ll then hear the question, “ID number — may I have the number you’re calling?” After you give him or her the number, you’ll be asked if you’ve ever used the relay service. If you haven’t, a short explanation is given as to what you can expect during the duration of the call. You’ll also be told that he or she won’t be able to hear you until the person on the other end comes on the line. You can hear the phone ring until it’s picked up, but you won’t hear the operator identify the relay service and your name to the person you’re calling. The operator usually lets the phone ring ten times before coming back on the line to let you know if there was no answer. If you’re calling a physically disabled or an elderly Deaf person, however, you may want to ask the operator to let the phone ring longer.