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    Telecommunications Access for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing

    Traditional Relay Service

    The California Relay Service (CRS) enables people who use Text Telephones (TTYs) to communicate with those who use voice telephones, and vice versa. When you use the CRS, you dial into the Relay Center and ask the Relay Operator (RO) to dial the number you want to call. The RO then stays on the line to”facilitate” the conversation between you and the called party. The RO conveys TTY-typed messages verbally and spoken messages via TTY. Your conversation is completely confidential.

    The CRS is available for your use 24 hours a day, every day of the year. To use the CRS, dial one of the numbers below to meet your calling needs:

    • 711 (voice/TTY)

    • TTY Only: 1-800-735-2929

    • Spanish: 1-800-855-3000 (Voss y TTY)

    When placing a call to a TTY user:

    • Call 711

    • Provide the RO with the name and number of the person you are calling

    • Wait for the RO to make the connection.

    • Speak directly to the person you are calling. The RO will type what you say and read what the TTY user types in response.

    Campus departments interested in obtaining a TTY for department use should contact the DPRC for assistance.

    There is a list of public pay TTY phone locations available on this website.

    Internet Relay Service:

    The Internet Relay Service enables people who use their computer or other web devices with Internet access to place calls to those who use voice telephones.

    When you use the Internet Relay Service, you connect to one of the several available Internet Relay Centers online and ask the Relay Operator (RO) to dial the number you want to call. The RO then stays online to facilitate the conversation between you and the called party. The RO conveys typed messages on the Internet from you to the other party verbally and types verbal messages from the other party to you. Your conversation is completely confidential.

    The Internet Relay Service is available for your use 24 hours a day, every day of the year. To use the Internet Relay Service, contact one of the following providers at their respective website addresses:

    Please note that there is currently no option for voice callers to contact deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals via the Internet Relay Service.

    Video Relay Service:

    The Video Relay Service (VRS) enables people who use sign language as their preferred communication mode to place and receive video-based calls via a videophone appliance connected to a TV monitor or webcam connected to their personal computer (PC) with high speed Internet access.

    When you, as a sign language user, use VRS, you dial into the Video Relay Center on TV using a remote control or on a PC using a mouse. The RO dials the number that was given and stays on the line to "interpret" the conversation between you and the called party. The RO conveys signed messages verbally to the called party and spoken messages in sign language to you. Your conversation is completely confidential.

    The hours of availability for Video Relay Service (VRS) vary from one provider to another, so please visit each VRS provider's website for their hours of availability.

    When placing a call to a deaf or hard-of-hearing person using VRS:

    1. Call one of the following numbers to connect to a VRS provider (unless the party you are calling only has a Sorenson videophone - in which case you will be required to contact Sorenson VRS):

      • AT&T VRS:
        1-888-VRS-9998

      • Hamilton VRS:
        1-866-498-4777

      • Hands-On VRS:
        1-877-467-4877

      • Sorenson VRS:
        1-866-327-8877

      • Sprint VRS:
        1-866-410-5787

    2. Provide the RO with the name and number of the person you are calling.

    3. Wait for the RO to make the connection.

    4. Speak to the person you are calling. The RO will interpret what you say to the sign language user and "voice" to you when that person signs.

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Disability Programs and Resource Center
Student Services Building 110
1600 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132-4046
Phone: 415/338-2472 (voice/TTY); Fax: 415/338-1041

Last Modified March 15, 2006, by the dprc@sfsu.edu