Technology and Telephone Relay Service

Issue title: Telecommunications

Guest editors: Jim TobiasIssue editor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Harkins, Judith E.¹ | Levitt, Harry | Peltz-Strauss, Karen

Note: [1] This article is based on a report prepared for the Iowa Utilities Board with support from the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology.

Abstract: This article explains many of the issues surrounding the relatively new world of telephone relay service (TRS) and describes technologies that should be tested for improving TRS and reducing costs. TRS is an operator-assisted interface between text terminals and voice terminals, so that text telephones used by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired can attain access to the vast voice telephone network. Technologies for relaying conversations, automating call processing, and reducing call volumes are reviewed.

Keywords: Telecommunications, relay service, technology, deaf, hard of hearing

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-1994-3304

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 173-194, 1994