You can use a text telephone/teletypewriter (TTY) to communicate with anyone and anytime on the phone!  The relay operator reads aloud the message you typed to the other party and types the other party’s voiced message and background sounds, if any, to you.

This service is designed for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or have a Speech Disability.

This relay service is available in English-to-English and English-to-Spanish/Spanish-to-English Translation.

The TRS Customer Profile allows you to store your relay call preferences and helps speed up call processing.

Click here for information about a similar Internet-based relay service called T-Mobile IP Relay.

How Does TTY Relay Work?

It’s simple!

Just dial 711 (or 800-982-8771 for English, 866-519-0569 for Spanish-to-Spanish or 877-298-3348 for English-to-Spanish/Spanish-to-English Translation) on your TTY and a relay operator will answer with “West Virginia Relay”.

Type the area code and telephone number you wish to call and type “GA” (“Go Ahead”).  The relay operator will dial the number and connect you to the other party.

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    Type your message on the TTY. Type “GA” (“Go Ahead”) at end of each message. The “GA” indicates that it is the other party’s turn to respond.

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    The relay operator reads aloud the message you typed to the other party.

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    The other party listens, then speaks.  When they say, “Go Ahead”, it is your turn to respond.

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    The relay operator types the other party’s voiced message to you.

To conclude the call, type “GA to SK” (“Stop Keying”) to indicate that you are ready to hang up.

Video : How does a TTY Relay call work?

Here’s how a TTY user named Emeka communicates with a standard phone user, Mary, of Travel Time agency.

ASCII
711 or  800-982-8771

If you are utilizing a computer, you can access West Virginia Relay directly. ASCII split screen is designed to allow high-speed ASCII computer users and relay operators to type their conversations which can be viewed on split windows. ASCII users and voice users can interrupt the relay operator if needed.

Set your communications software to the following protocols regardless of baud rate:

All baud rates:

• 8 Bits • No Parity • 1 Stop Bit • Half Duplex

Note: It may be helpful to set your “time out” to 100 seconds.