No cost programs through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are redefining how those who are disabled, deaf, or hard of hearing are making phone calls with clarity.
The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers two services, Speech to Speech, and Hearing Carry Over.
Speech to Speech is achieved by dialing 711 or 800.735.8261 from a landline phone. A relay operator ensures that the individual will be heard and understood. The service is designed for people who have a speech disability or for those who use a voice synthesizer.
No special equipment is needed, and the service is available in English to English or Spanish to Spanish. Online forms for special instructions and contacts can be found on the website and filled out anywhere between two to twenty-four hours before the phone call.
After dialing the relay service number, the customer will provide the area code and phone number of the person they would like to call. The call will connect and the customer will speak directly to the other party. The operator is there in case the words need clarity. The other party also speaks directly to the customer.
The Hearing Carry-Over service is for individuals who can hear, but they can’t speak. Customers can reach this service by dialing 711 or 800.735.2962 for English, or 888.825.6570 for Spanish from a landline phone with either a teletypewriter or VCO phone.
The operator will then answer by typing “Relay North Carolina.” Customers will type in the area code and phone number of the person they would like to call, and then type “GA” for Go Ahead. The call is connected to the other party.
The phone call is relayed to the other party by the operator who reads the messages typed by the customers. The operator then types the responses back to the disabled individual from the other party. A “GA” is placed at the end of each message when the person wishes to wait for a response. This lets the customer know when it is their time to speak. To conclude the call, customers type “SK” or Stop Keying when they are ready to hang up.
Speech-to-Speech North Carolina is funded by a surcharge on landlines and wireless connections in North Carolina. There is no cost to use this service.
Speech-to-Speech and Hearing Carry-Over relay are not compatible with PBX system, VOIP phones or digital landlines; a dedicated landline must be used.
There is no charge for local or long-distance calls with either service.
To find out more about either phone service, you can visit www.nc-sts.com, or call 877.787.1989.
