Phone Access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech Disabilities | Nationwide Relay Services

We love this relay services resource because as occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) we meet clients who hand every phone call to a spouse or adult child, and each handed off call chips away at privacy and independence. Can someone who cannot hear or speak clearly still make their own phone calls? Yes: dial 711 anywhere in the U.S. and a trained Communications Assistant relays the conversation, whether you type, read what the other person says, or use Speech-to-Speech relay where the assistant re-voices unclear speech. Relay is available 24/7, calls are confidential, the service is free, and it works with TTYs, captioned phones, amplified phones, and smartphone apps.

This is especially valuable for people with ALS, Parkinson's, stroke related speech changes, and those who are Deaf or DeafBlind. If the person can still follow speech and mainly needs the caller's words louder or in print, our How to Get a Captioned Phone listing may be the simpler first step.

Dial 711: Universal access point across the U.S.

Available 24/7: Relay services are always on, including holidays.

No Cost: Provided free of charge by your state telecommunications provider.

Equipment: Use with TTYs, captioned phones, amplified phones, or smartphones with compatible apps.

Privacy: All calls are confidential and Communications Assistants are bound by strict privacy rules.

If you're unsure which type of relay is best, you can still dial 711 and ask for help choosing.