How To Make A Relay Call

Voice Carry Over And Hearing Carry Over Relay (VCO AND HCO)

VOICE CARRY OVER Relay (VCO) is for people who are deaf or hard of hearing but who wish to speak through the telephone receiver directly to and be heard by the other party. The relay operator types what is said by the other party and the VCO user reads it on his or her TTY. The conversation continues back and forth this way until both parties conclude the call.

2. Ask the Relay Operator for VCO Relay.
3. Give the Relay Operator the area code and phone number you wish to call.

For the CRS providers' dedicated VCO numbers visit the CRS Provider page.

2-LINE VCO RELAY (2LVCO) is similar to the above but uses two telephone lines: One is used with a TTY for incoming text from the relay operator to the VCO user, and the other line is used for voice from the VCO user who speaks directly to the other party. The line used for voice needs to have conferencing or three-way calling capability from the telephone company.

HEARING CARRY OVER Relay (HCO) is for people who can hear but who have difficulty speaking clearly but wish to hear the other party directly. The HCO user types on a TTY what he or she wishes to say and this is spoken by the relay operator to the other party. The conversation continues back and forth this way until both parties conclude the call.

2. Ask the Relay Operator for an HCO call.
3. Give the area code and phone number you wish to call.

For the CRS providers' dedicated HCO numbers visit the CRS Provider page.

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Internet Relay Service

Internet Relay Service is a Web-based relay service. Text-users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled can initiate a relay call by connecting with an Internet Relay Operator who, in turn, dials the phone number of the other party to be called. The conversation between the text-user and the other party continues back and forth until both conclude the call.

1. CRS Internet Relay Service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled can be reached at the following websites:
   • www.ip-relay.com (GoAmerica)
   • www.myrelay.com (Nordia)
   • www.sprint-crs.com (Sprint)

Follow call instructions on the providers' website.

2. If you receive a call from someone who is using Internet Relay, you will need to talk slower than normal since everything you say is being typed.

At the present time, the ability to make a relay call to an Internet Relay user is an optional service. For the CRS providers' IP Relay phone numbers visit the CRS Provider page.

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Video Relay Service (VRS)

Video Relay Service (VRS) makes use of a web cam and the Internet, or a videophone and high speed Internet access. A Relay Operator/Interpreter fluent in sign language can see and be seen by the calling party. VRS is often preferred by people who wish to use sign language and/or lipread the relay operator. The Video Interpreter relays conversations back and forth between VRS users and people who use standard telephones until both parties conclude the call.

1. CRS Video Relay Service can be reached at the following websites:
• www.ip-vrs.com (GoAmerica)
• www.myrelay.com (Nordia)
• www.sprint-crs.com (Sprint)

Follow call instructions on the providers' website.

At the present time, the ability to make a relay call from a standard telephone to a Video Relay user is an optional service. For the CRS providers' VRS phone numbers visit the CRS Provider page.

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Starting November 12, 2009 all VRS and IP Relay users are required to register and have a 10-digit local phone number assigned. With that, a hearing caller can directly dial a VRS or IP Relay user automatically. Another benefit of the registration is that user's address is on file in case of an emergency. For more information visit the FCC website.

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