Relay Services
The
Telecommunications Device for the
Deaf (TDD) or Telephone to Telephone Typewriter (TTY), the
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and the Video Relay Service (VRS) are
all helpful tools often used by d/Deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The
TDD/TTY is an electronic device that allows d/Deaf or hard of hearing
individuals to make phone calls just like a hearing person would. The TRS is
a free and available service open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to
handle voice-to-TTY and TTY-to-voice calls (Dannenfeldt). VRS is a type of
TRS and 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 (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/videorelay.html)
The TDD/TTY was
invented in 1964 by Robert Weitbrecht a d/Deaf scientist. The early TDD/TTY’s
were large and cumbersome and were not portable by any means. By 1967, only
25 TTY stations were available, but by 1969 that number had increased to 600
(Dannenfeldt). A TDD/TTY works with the user terminal with keyboard input
and printer or display output used by the d/Deaf or hard of hearing
individual. The device contains a modem and is used over a standard analog
phone line (Computer). The TDD/TTY was a huge advancement for d/Deaf
individuals, it gave them the freedom to make phone calls and to communicate
with people like the never had before.
Just like the TDD/TTY’s
TRS and VRS help d/Deaf individuals around the word communicate. There are
many advantages to TRS/VRS that can not be offered through TDD/TTYs. One of
those advantages is that because a TDD/TTY is text you can not see facial
expressions and body language which is a huge part of ASL (Federal). Another
advantage to TRS and VRS is that a TRS/VRS conversation flows back and forth
just like a telephone conversation between two hearing persons. For example,
the parties can interrupt each other, which they cannot do with a TRS call
using a TTY (Federal). Another huge part of d/Deaf communication is through
Texting. Texting has given d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals the
opportunities to instantly communicate with anyone were as before this would
have been impossible.
Since the
creation of VRS or Video Relay Service the door of easier communication has
been opened for the d/Deaf or hard of hearing community. VRS is a service
that can be offered in many different ways. The first way is through the use
of a webcam and a program called Skype. Skype is an internet calling program
that offers free Skype to Skype/computer to computer video/instant
messaging/voice calling/video calling. VIBALE is another company that offers
a wide range of communication styles. One of the available communication
styles is through a computer and a webcam just like Skype, but it there is
the option to call land lines and have an interpreter available to interpret
if you wan tot call a place were there is hearing people. There is also
their newest product called VPAD+ that is like a cell phone for the d/Deaf.
It is a small portable device whose purpose is video calling. It is a
wonderful device/service that has opened doors for d/Deaf individuals
(Viable).
TTY/TDD, and TRS/VRS
have come a long way since TTY’s first became available on the market. TTY/TDD
first started out in 1964 large and cumbersome making communication
difficult for d/Deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Since then
communication for d/Deaf individuals has become easier with the invention of
the VPAD+ and texting. Finding out what new inventions will make
communicating easier for d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals will be
exciting to see.
Works Cited
Computer Language Company Inc., The
TDD/TTY. 12 May, 2009 <http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=TDDTTY&i=52627,00.asp>
Dannenfeldt, Diane. "How Hearing Impaired Telephones
Work." 13 June 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://communication.howstuffworks.com/hearing-impaired-telephones.htm>
11 May 2009.
Federal Communications Commission. Video Relay
Services. 12 May 2009. <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/videorelay.html>
Viable. Products. 12 May 2009. < http://www.viable.net/product>