TTY (Type and Read)

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

Flow chart demonstrating how a TTY (Type and Read) call works. Long description located below image. — A TTY (Type and Read) call begins with you typing your side of the conversation. The Relay Officer talks. 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 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. Type 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. Type 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.
  
  Type the area code and phone number you want to call then type “GA” (Go ahead).
- 4.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to dial the number.
- 5.
  
  Watch the screen for the other person’s greeting. Wait to read “GA” (go ahead) before answering each time.
- 6.
  
  Type your message to the other person and type “GA” when you want the other person to answer.
- 7.
  
  To end the call, type ‘goodbye, SKSK’ (Stop Keying. Stop Keying)
  
  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, type the area code and phone number you want to call then type “GA”(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 (Type 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.
  
  The TTY light flashes and will ring.
  
  For Uniphone TTY
  
  Press Shift and the TTY On/Off button and type ‘Hello GA’ (go ahead).
  
  For Superprint TTY
  
  Press the black switch to turn the TTY on and press the space bar on the TTY.
- 3.
  
  Watch the TTY screen.
  
  Read the Relay Officer’s name and introduction and your caller’s greeting.
- 4.
  
  Type what you want to say then type “GA” when you want the caller to answer.
- 5.
  
  Read the messages on the screen from your caller. Wait to read “GA” before answering each time.
- 6.
  
  To end the call, type “goodbye SKSK” (Stop Keying. Stop Keying.
  
  Read the caller’s goodbye and “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. Type 106.
  
  For Superprint TTY
  
  Press the black switch to turn on the TTY. Press ctrl and 1. Type 106 then press the return key.
- 2.
  
  Read on the TTY screen.
  
  “Emergency Relay Service press PPP for police…FFF for fire…AAA for ambulance. GA” (Go ahead).
- 3.
  
  Type:
  
  PPP, FFF or AAA,
  
  your exact location including street address and state
  
  then “GA” (go ahead).
- 4.
  
  Wait for the Relay Officer to connect you with the Emergency Services Officer (ESO).
- 5.
  
  Read the ESO’s questions on screen and wait to read “GA” before typing your answer.
  
  Type your answers then “GA”.
  
  Do not hang up until the Relay Officer tells you the call is finished.
- 6.
  
  Read “goodbye” and “SKSK” (Stop Keying. Stop Keying). This shows that the ESO 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 the handset.