Tips

Choose a link below to drop down to the appropriate section:

• CRS Provider Customer Profile
• State-to-State and International Calls
• TTY Operator Service
• Billing
• Emergency Services
• Conversations With the CRS Operator
• Answering Machines/Voice Mail Systems
• Automated Telephone Systems
• Relay from Pay Telephones
• Glossary of Abbreviations and Commonly Used Terms

CRS Provider Customer Profile

You can let CRS Providers know exactly how you want your calls handled. CRS Providers will link your preferences to your telephone number. In doing so, all calls to CRS from your telephone number will be handled according to your preference(s) automatically. This is called a "Customer Profile."

After completing a 711 Choice Form you can let your preferred CRS Provider know how you want your account setup. Some options that CRS providers offer include, but are not limited to:

• Request that the call not be announced as a relay call, or change how the call is announced.
• Set up your calls for VCO or HCO
• Set up Two-Line VCO including the phone number for the second line.
• Ask that your local long distance calls be billed to your carrier of choice
• Specify other preferences in how your conversations are conveyed (For example, requesting the operator to describe background noises or type at a different speed)
• Request a male or female operator.

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State-to-State and International Calls

Users of the California Relay Service can place and receive calls from anywhere in the United States or worldwide, to and from California . For more information about international relay calls, contact your relay provider and request Customer Service.

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TTY Operator Service

All three CRS providers offer the following operator services:

• Directory Assistance (telephone and address information)
• TTY operator-assisted calls (i.e., person-to-person, collect calls, billing to third party or calling card).

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Billing

There is no additional charge for using the California Relay Service. You may be charged standard rates for Directory Assistance calls or operator-assisted calls.

Long distance, operator-assisted, and toll calls will be billed to your carrier of choice upon request.

If you do not select your carrier of choice, your calls will be billed by the relay service provider. If you have a preferred long distance carrier of choice, you must inform the relay operator of your carrier of choice before the calls are made.

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Emergency Services

• In an emergency, TTY users should dial 911 directly.
• Tap the space bar several times to show that it is a TTY call.

Calls made directly and immediately to 911 can save valuable time in emergency situations. CRS is available to dial 911, but dialing 911 directly is faster.

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Conversations With the CRS Operator

Do not add side comments to the CRS Operator during conversation because these comments will be relayed to the other person. This can cause confusion to the CRS operator and/or the other person.

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Answering Machines/Voice Mail Systems

1. Messages can be left on answering machines or voice mail systems through CRS
2. If you think you might get an answering machine when you call and don't want the greeting relayed word for word, ask the CRS operator to either summarize the message or ignore it, so you can simply leave your message. You can also give your message to the CRS operator before s/he makes the call.

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Automated Telephone Systems

Many business organizations now use automated systems to answer, take messages, and route calls to the correct person or department.

EXAMPLE: "Press #1 for customer service, #2 for sales department." Or "Please press the extension number you wish to call."

To make calling easier, if you know the option or extension number you wish to reach, you can tell the CRS operator before s/he makes the call.

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Relay from Pay Telephones 

1. When making a call from a pay telephone to CRS within a local calling area, there is no charge for your call.
2. If your call is outside the local calling area, you will be required to use one of the following billing options:
   • a. Pre-paid calling card
   • b. Telephone calling card (check with your telephone service provider)
   • c. Collect call (bill to the person you are calling)
   • d. Bill to another telephone number (e.g., home or office)

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Glossary of Abbreviations and Commonly Used Terms

GA             "Go Ahead" it is your turn to type

SK             "Stop Keying" (end of conversation)

GA or SK   Completing all messages and getting ready to hang up

Q or QQ     Question mark in lieu of question symbol (?)

SKSK          Hanging up

TTY           Term for text telephone, teletype (most commonly used term)

TDD          Telecommunication device for the deaf

XXX           Erasing a typing error

VCO           Voice Carry Over

HCO           Hearing Carry Over

RO             Relay Operator

CA             Communication Assistant

BKGD         Background noise description (e.g., baby crying, dog barking, TV noise)

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