TTY (Speak and Read)

How does a TTY (Speak and Read) call work?

Flow chart demonstrating how a TTY (Speak and Read) call works. Long description located below image. — A TTY (Speak and Read) call begins with you speaking your side of the conversation. The hearing person listens. The hearing person talks. The Relay Officer types what the hearing person is saying. You read the response on the TTY screen and the steps are repeated.

What equipment is needed?

You will need a TTY (also known as a teletypewriter) and a landline telephone connection.

How much will it cost?

A TTY call costs the same as any other call to a 13/1300 phone number, depending on your phone plan.

You can usually rent a TTY (for about the same cost as an ordinary phone) through the disability equipment programs offered by major telephone providers.

Step-by-step instructions

- 1.
  
  For Uniphone TTY
  
  Press the dial button. Pick up the TTY handset or plug in a headset. Dial 133 677 (or 1800 555 677 if calling an 1800 number).
  
  For Superprint TTY
  
  Press the black switch to turn on the TTY. Press ctrl and 1. Pick up the TTY handset or plug in a headset. Dial 133 677 (or 1800 555 677 if calling an 1800 number) then press the return key.
- 2.
  
  Watch the TTY screen.
  
  Wait to be transferred to a Relay Officer.
- 3.
  
  Say the area code and phone number you want to call then say “go ahead”.
- 4.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to dial the number.
- 5.
  
  Watch the screen for the other person’s greeting. You can also hear the other person’s words or you can turn the volume down.
  
  Wait to read “GA” or hear “Go Ahead” before replying each time.
- 6.
  
  Speak directly to the other person. Say “go ahead” when you want the other person to reply.
- 7.
  
  To end the call, say “Goodbye”.
  
  Read SKSK (Stop Keying. Stop Keying) – the other person saying ‘goodbye’
- 8.
  
  Read “RO here, would you like to make another call? GA”
  
  If yes, say the area code and phone number then “go ahead”.
- 9.
  
  If you don’t want to make another call, turn off the TTY.
  
  For Uniphone, press shift and the TTY On/Off button.
  
  For Superprint, press the black switch and hang up handset.
- 1.
  
  To receive a TTY (Speak and Read) call through the NRS, your caller will need to call the NRS on 133 677 and:
  
  provide your number and name; and
  
  ask to be connected to you.
- 2.
  
  For Uniphone TTY – light flashes and will ring.
  
  For Superprint TTY – Press the black switch to turn the TTY on and press the space bar on the TTY.
- 3.
  
  Pick up the TTY handset.
  
  Say “Hello. Go ahead.”
- 4.
  
  Watch the screen. You can also listen to the other person’s words or you can turn the volume down or up.
  
  Read and hear your caller saying “Hello GA” (Go ahead).
- 5.
  
  Speak directly to your caller.
  
  Say “go ahead” when you want your caller to reply.
  
  Read your caller’s messages on the screen and listen if you want.
  
  Wait to read GA or hear “Go ahead” before replying each time.
- 6.
  
  To end the call, say “Goodbye”.
  
  Read and hear the caller’s goodbye.
  
  Wait to see SKSK (Stop Keying. Stop Keying)— your caller has hung up.
- 7.
  
  Turn off the TTY.
  
  For Uniphone, press shift and the TTY On/Off button.
  
  For Superprint, press the black switch and hang up handset.
- 1.
  
  For Uniphone TTY
  
  Press the dial button. Pick up the TTY handset. Dial 106.
  
  For Superprint TTY
  
  Press the black switch to turn on the TTY. Press ctrl and 1. Pick up the TTY handset or plug in a headset. Dial 106.
- 2.
  
  Watch the TTY screen.
  
  You will see ‘Emergency Relay Service press PPP for police…FFF for fire…AAA for ambulance. Ignore this and wait for the Relay Officer.
  
  Wait to read “Welcome to NRS, this is Relay Officer [Name]. Please say which emergency service you require, police, fire or ambulance GA” (Go ahead).
  
  Wait to be transferred to a Relay Officer.
- 3.
  
  Say ‘POLICE’ or ‘FIRE’ or ‘AMBULANCE’ and give your exact location including street address and state, then say ‘Go ahead’.
- 4.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to connect you with the Emergency Services Officer (ESO).
- 5.
  
  Watch the screen for questions from the ESO.
  
  You can also listen to the ESO.
  
  Wait to read ‘GA’ or hear ‘Go ahead’ before replying each time.
- 6.
  
  Answer all questions. Say ‘go ahead’ each time when you finish your answer.
  
  Do not hang up until the Relay Officer tells you the call is finished.
- 7.
  
  To end the call, say “goodbye”’.
  
  Read “goodbye” and “SKSK” (Stop Keying. Stop Keying). This shows that the ESO has hung up.
- 8.
  
  Turn off the TTY.
  
  For Uniphone, press shift and the TTY On/Off button.
  
  For Superprint, press the black switch and hang up the handset.