Telephone typewriters, also known as TTY, are a telephone for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. It consists of a keyboard and display screen, and is sometimes called a teletypewriter or textphone. TTY allows users to type a message into the machine, which is then turned into electrical signals that can travel over ordinary telephone lines. When the signals reach their destination they are converted back into letters which, depending on the TTY model, then appear on a display screen, are printed out on paper, or both. If the other telephone does not have a TTY facility, the National Relay Service (NRS) can be used to conduct text to voice calls.
The National Relay Service also offers free TTY training to individuals, groups and businesses upon request. For information on TTY training visit the NRS website or contact them on:
Voice: 1800 555 660
TTY: 1800 555 630
FAX: 1800 555 690
SMS: 0416 001 350
Website: http://www.relayservice.com.au (This link will open in a new window)
Using a TTY does have limitations including:
- only one person can 'talk' at a time, interruptions aren’t possible without causing letter jumbling
- the optimum typing speed performance is 65 words per minute at best depending on the typist, compared to 240 – 300 words equivalent per minute in spoken or signed communication
- requires a comprehensive understanding of the English language to fully communicate with hearing peers, and for many people who are Deaf, English is their second language
- not being able to fully convey the emotional content of the conversation makes it difficult to gauge whether the speaker on the other end is happy or angry
- requires turn-taking signals such as GA, ‘Go Ahead’, which causes delays
- allows interfacing only with TTY’s or the NRS.
TTY’s are also now able to be used with some types of mobile phones. An adapter is required which allows the TTY to be plugged into the mobile phone and then the device used as a standard TTY via the mobile network.
Computer software is also available which allows the computer to act as a TTY using the National Relay Service.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Many occupations require people to communicate over the telephone. A telephone typewriter can assist people with a hearing impairment to effectively carry out this communication. For alternative methods for people with hearing impairment to communicate in the workplace see the links below:
References
Apple 2011, Apple iPhone TTY adapter, Apple Inc., Sydney, viewed 22 June 2011, http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA854G/A.
Deaf Australia Inc. 2010, What is Deaf equivalent to Voice Telephony, Deaf Australia Inc., Brisbane, viewed 22 June 2011, http://www.deafau.org.au/info/paper_voctel.php.
National Relay Service 2011, Equipment, National Relay Service, Balmain, viewed 22 June 2011, http://www.relayservice.com.au/making-a-call/ttys/.
National Relay Service 2007, National Relay Service Plan 2008-09, National Relay Service, Balmain, viewed 22 June 2011, http://www.relayservice.com.au/topics/2247.html.