TTY (Type and Listen)

How does a TTY (Type and Listen) call work?

Flow chart demonstrating how a TTY (Type and Listen) call works. Long description located below image. — A TTY (Type and Listen) call begins with you typing your side of the conversation on a TTY. The Relay Officer talks. The other person listens. The other person talks. You hear the responses and the steps are repeated.

What equipment is needed?

You 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 the major telephone providers.

Step-by-step instructions

- 1.
  
  For Uniphone TTY
  
  Press the dial button. Type 133 677 (or 1800 555 677 if calling an 1800 number).
  
  Pick up the TTY handset or plug in a headset.
  
  For Superprint TTY
  
  Press the black switch to turn on the TTY. Press ctrl and 1. Type 133 677 (or 1800 555 677 if calling an 1800 number) then press the return key. Pick up the TTY handset or plug in a headset.
- 2.
  
  Watch the TTY screen.
  
  Wait to be transferred to a Relay Officer.
- 3.
  
  Wait to hear “Welcome to NRS, this is Relay Officer [Name]. Please enter the area code and number you wish to call. Go ahead”.
- 4.
  
  Type the area code and phone number you want to call then say “GA”(go ahead).
- 5.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to dial the number.
- 6.
  
  Listen to the other person’s greeting
  
  Wait to hear “Go Ahead” before typing your answer.
- 7.
  
  Type your message to the other person and type “GA” when you want the other person to answer.
- 8.
  
  To end the call, type “Goodbye, SKSK” (Stop keying, stop keying).
  
  Listen to the other person saying ‘goodbye’
- 9.
  
  Hear “RO here, would you like to make another call? Go Ahead”
  
  If yes, type the area code and phone number then “GA”.
- 10.
  
  If you don’t want to make another call, type “No” and 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 (Type and Listen) 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.
  
  The TTY light flashes and the TTY will ring.
  
  For Uniphone TTY –Press shift and the TTY On/Off button.
  
  For Superprint TTY – Press the black switch to turn the TTY on and press the space bar on the TTY.
- 3.
  
  Type “Hello GA (Go ahead)”
  
  Pick up the TTY handset.
- 4.
  
  Listen to your caller’s greeting.
  
  Wait to hear ‘Go Ahead’ and hang up the handset each time before typing your reply.
- 5.
  
  Type your message to the other person.
  
  Type ‘GA’ (go ahead) when you want the other person to reply.
- 6.
  
  To end the call, type “Bye, SKSK”. (Stop Keying, Stop Keying).
  
  Listen to the other person’s goodbye.“
- 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. Type 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. Type 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.
- 3.
  
  Pick up the handset.
  
  Wait to hear “Welcome to NRS, this is Relay Officer [Name]. Please enter which emergency service you require, police, fire or ambulance Go Ahead.”
- 4.
  
  Type:
  
  “PPP” (Police), “FFF” (Fire) or “AAA”
  
  your exact location including street address and state, and
  
  then “GA”.
- 5.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to connect you with the Emergency Services Officer (ESO).
- 6.
  
  Listen to the ESO’s questions. Wait to hear ‘Go Ahead’ before you type your answers.
  
  Type your answers then type “GA” (Go Ahead) when you want the ESO to reply.
  
  Do not hang up until the Relay Officer tells you the call is finished.
- 7.
  
  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.