Paula's Demonstration 3: TTY

Paula R. Ulloa
ED443G, Assistive Technology
Dr. J. Cyrus
June 30, 2008

Demonstration 3

Product: Tele TYpewriter (TTY) aka TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf)
Brand: Ultratec
Distributors: Ultratec, Inc. Madison WI
Product name: The SUPERPRINT
Function:
Allows individuals who are deaf or HoH to have telephone conversations with anyone. These services are extended to internet browsing and ordering through IP relay services. Calls placed to or from a non-TTY user can be placed through the Telecommunications Relay Service
Price:
Superprint basic $499.00 (additional features range from $5.00 [paper rolls, dust covers] - $99.00 [extended warranty])
Superprint Pro80 Series $579.00 (“most sophisticated model”)
Non-print range from $299 – 379 (covers, warranty, built in flasher, ringing option, etc)
Mini-prints range from $349 - $679 (covers, warranty, caller ID, & special features)
Public Access TTY: ranges $700-$1500 can be placed in public phone stalls (installation not included but is easy to install)
Availability:
through Various distributors
Vehicles (OnStar TTY Interface Module (OTIM)* enables the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired
subscribers to receive most OnStar services in English text.)
Internet (IP relay)
Other brands: Varied & numerous
Preliminary needs:
Ø Telephone (TTY not needed be: of relay service = dial 711)
o Traditional relay services have all communication in text only, through a TTY or via the internet.
o A broadband video relay service uses a videophone or a webcam, and a sign language interpreter.
o Using a regular telephone, a traditional relay service can be accessed 24 hours a day by dialing either 711 or a toll-free number. The Federal Communications Commission has a fact sheet on using 711 to contact a relay service. Every state has its own relay service. An internet relay service can be accessed via a relay service website or instant messaging. Video relays are accessed by contacting the relay service via the videophone.
o All conversations are considered confidential
o Telecommunications relay service provides voice telephone access to people who use TTYs. Specially trained relay agents complete calls and stay on-line to relay messages either by TTY, or verbally to hearing parties. This service is available 24 hours a day with no restrictions to the length or number of calls placed.
Features:
Ø Manufacturer warranty, cases, covers, tech support, some have caller ID etc.
Ø Some TTYs are now equipped with both Baudot and ASCII. Baudot is the communication code used by TTYs, and ASCII is the code used by computers. A TTY equipped with ASCII allows the user to call any computer that has a telecommunication set-up. If the TTY does not have ASCII, the computer must have a special modem to translate the Baudot code.
Ø TTYs do not require special telephone equipment or installation. The telephone receiver, or handset, is put in the cradle of the acoustic coupler on the TTY before the conversation begins. The MODEM converts electric TTY impulses into acoustic signals and transmits those tones to the telephone receiver.

Getting Started:
Ø TTY: HOW IT WORKS: This device 'rings' via flashing light or the more recent vibrating wrist band that resembles a watch. The TTY consists of a keyboard, which hold somewhere from 20 to 30 character keys, a display screen, and a modem. The letters that the TTY usre types into the machine are turned into electrical signals that can travel over regular telephone lines. When the signals reach their destination (in this case another TTY) they are converted back into letters which appear on a display screen, are printed out on paper or both. Some of the newer TTYs are even equipped with answering machines.
Ø MRC (Message Relay Centers) & HOW THEY WORK: A hearing caller who needs to get in touch with a TTY user yet does not possess a TTY of his own can use a MRC to make his call. The caller simply calls MRC in their state. The operator at the center will use a TTY to call the party that the hearing person is trying to reach. The operator acts as an interpreter, typing the hearing person's message into a TTY and reading the response to him as it returns. (This works vice versa for a deaf caller trying to reach a hearing party.)

Users & Caveats:
Ø WHO USES IT: The TTY has 4 million users nationwide. 3 million of tese users are hearing impaired and the other 1 million have severe speech impairments.
Ø ADVANTAGES: Without a means of Telecommunication, the deaf were, in a sense, isolated from many people and services. Life without a telephone substitute involved many miles of driving to deliver and relay messages. (Which was very time consuming and frustrating.) The TTY gives deaf people the luxury of just being able to pick up the phone and chat. It also provided an easier way to connect to police and fire stations in case of emergency. And with the later creation of MRCs (message relay centers) the TTY users could connect to any phone anywhere in the world.
Ø DISADVANTAGES: TTY users must know how to type. The alarmingly high spelling error rate of 5-6% (10% of which is TTY machine related as in the misfunction of a key) sometimes causes a problem in communication. One half million of TTY users communicate using ASL (American Sign Language) or which there is no written counterpart. ASL also has a grammatical system which differs greatly from that of Standard English. If a TTY user is especially "chatty", the other party must just sit quietly until the "chatty" person sends the message, which they must then read and respond to. A conversation such as this would end up taking much longer than the avg. phone call.
Ø MRC COST: $300-$600 depending on what type of model you purchase. (source: Communications of the ACM May 1992 v35 n5 p80)TTYs (TDD) can be rented from US West for five dollars a month.
Ø MRC ADVANTAGES: The deaf can connect to any phone anywhere at any time. Their communication is no longer limited to other TTY users. It opened up many services including mail order catalogs.
Ø MRC COST: free (same cost as call would have cost to dial direct)
Ø IP relay crimes
Ø International (interpreters)

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TTY, TDD, and TEXT TELEPHONE - All refer to the same device. TTY is the preferred acronym.
AUTO ID - Automatically transmits an audible tone to identify TTY calls. Helpful in emergency situations.
TURBO CODE - Allows typed information to transmit faster.
MEMORY - Memory buffers allow information to be saved and retrieved as needed.
TTY ANNOUNCER - Pre-programmed voice announcement that identifies a TTY call.
VCO- Voice Carry Over, used in conjunction with the relay service where user talks into handset & reads incoming conversation.
HCO - Hearing Carry Over, used in conjunction with the relay service, the user listens to the other party and types their response using a TTY.

REFERENCES

about.com http://deafness.about.com/cs/relayservices/a/internetrelay.htm

ADCO Hearing Products Inc. http://www.adcohearing.com/tty_what_tty.html

ATT wireless www.ATT.com

Captions.com www.Captions.com

Onstar http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/explore/onstar_basics/helpful_info.jsp?info-view=tty

How does the service work?
A2.
The OnStar TTY Interface Module (OTIM)* enables the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired subscribers to receive most OnStar services in English text.
To connect to OnStar, simply push the OnStar button and a dedicated OnStar TTY Advisor will be ready to assist you. The OnStar TTY Interface Module (OTIM*) is connected directly to the OnStar system before you leave the dealership so that your OnStar service is available as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Included with the system is a TTY device and dial pad for use in the vehicle.
* WARNING: This equipment is installed by your GM dealer. Under no circumstance should your dealer-installed equipment be removed from your vehicle. (The TTY device may be transferred in and out of the vehicle. It is important to remember to bring the device back into the vehicle to use OnStar TTY.) Failure to comply with this process may cause permanent damage to your equipment. Damaged or misplaced equipment may prohibit communication with OnStar.

Is there an additional cost to have the OnStar TTY service?
A3.
Eligible subscribers can request the TTY equipment through their GM dealer. Most or all of the equipment cost can be reimbursed through the GM Mobility Reimbursement Program during the first year of ownership, subject to program rules. The use of OnStar services requires an active OnStar subscription. In addition, access to OnStar's Hands-Free Calling capability requires prepaid OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes. A dedicated OnStar TTY Advisor will be happy to provide you with plan and pricing information.

Potomac Technology http://www.potomactech.com/index.phtml

Precise hearing http://precisehearing.com/krown

Ultratec.com www.ultratec.com