Relay Services

CapTel (Captioned Telephone) relay service is a leading-edge technology developed by Ultratec, Inc. of Madison, Wis., that allows people to receive both voice and text captioning, nearly simultaneously. In order to place a call through the CapTel relay service, a technologically equipped CapTel phone is required. The CapTel phone works like any traditional phone with callers talking and listening to each other, but with one very significant difference: captions are provided live for every call. The captions are displayed on the CapTel phone's built-in screen so the user can read the words while listening to the voice of the other party. The conversation can flow naturally, allowing for normal interruptions and expressed emotions. CapTel services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

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ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND
ALABAMA TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS PROGRAM (ATAP)
Please contact the regional center nearest you for information.

Shoals Regional Center Region 1 Glenda Cain, Director 512 North Main Street Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674 gcain@aidb.state.al.us	Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Winston Phone: 256-383-3503 Fax: 256-383-3562
Huntsville Regional Center Region 2 Karla Smith, Director 600 St. Clair Avenue, Bldg #2 Huntsville, Alabama 35801 kasmith@aidb.state.al.us	DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall Phone: 256-539-7881 Fax: 256-532-0942
Birmingham Regional Center Region 3 Monita Hara, Director 220 34th Street, South Birmingham, Alabama 35222 mhara@aidb.state.al.us	Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, Walker Phone: 205-328-3989 Fax: 205-323-3691
Talladega Regional Center Region 4 Horace Carson , Director 412 Cherry Street, P. O. Box 698 Talladega, Alabama 35161 hcars@aidb.state.al.us	Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega Phone: 256-761-3371 Fax: 256-761-3371
Tuscaloosa Regional Center Region 5 Jan McGee, Director 701 22nd Avenue Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 jmcge@aidb.state.al.us	Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Hale Phone: 205-345-2883 Fax: 205-345-4883
Auburn Regional Center Region 6 Charlot Ritenbaugh, Director 650 North College Street Auburn, Alabama 36830 crite@aidb.state.al.us	Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell, Tallapoosa Phone: 334-887-3880 Fax: 334-821-4022
Montgomery Regional Center Region 7 Margie Lee, Director 2629-B Eastern Boulevard Montgomery, Alabama 36117-1509 mlee@aidb.state.al.us	Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery, Pike, Wilcox Phone: 334-273-9200 Fax: 334-273-9400
Dothan Regional Center Region 8 Ricky Holman, Director 111 Medical Drive Dothan, Alabama 36303 rholm@aidb.state.al.us	Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston Phone: 334-677-6270 Fax: 334-793-7044
Mobile Regional Center Region 9 Michelle Jones, Director 1050 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36604 mijone@aidb.state.al.us	Bldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington Phone: 251-432-7777 Fax: 251-432-3199

For TTY Users

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled uses a TTY to type his/her conversation to a Communication Assistant (CA), who then reads the typed conversation to a hearing person. The CA relays the hearing person's spoken words by typing them back to the TTY user.

1. Dial the TTY number, 711 or 1-800-548-2546.
2. Alabama Relay will answer with "8234" (for CA identification), "F" or "M" (for CA gender) and "NUMBER CALLING PLS GA." ("GA" denotes "go ahead.")
3. Type in the area code and telephone number you wish to call and then type "GA."
4. The Communication Assistant will dial the number and relay the conversation to and from your TTY. Type in "GA" at the end of each message.

For Voice Users

Standard telephone users can easily initiate calls to TTY users. The Communication Assistant types the hearing person's spoken words to the TTY user and reads back the typed replies.

1. Dial the voice number, 711 or 800-548-2547.
2. You will hear, "Alabama Relay CA (number). May I help you the number you are calling please?"
3. Give the CA the area code and telephone number you wish to call and any further instructions.
4. The CA will process your call, relaying exactly what the TTY user is typing. The CA will relay what you say back to the TTY user. (Be sure to talk directly to your caller, avoid saying "tell him" or "tell her," and say "GA" at the end of your response.)

For Hearing Carryover Users

Hearing Carryover (HCO) allows speech-disabled users with hearing to listen to the person they are calling. The HCO user types his/her conversation for the CA to read to the standard telephone user.

1. Dial 711 or 1-800-548-2546.
2. Alabama Relay will answer with "8234" (for CA identification), "F" or "M" (for CA gender) and "NUMBER CALLING PLS GA."
3. Type in the area code and telephone number you wish to call and then type "HCO PLEASE GA."
4. The CA will make the connections and voice your typed conversation to the called party. After you type "GA," pick up the handset to listen to the spoken reply.

HCO to TTY

HCO users can listen while the CA is reading/voicing the TTY user's typed message. The HCO user types his/her conversation directly to the TTY user.

HCO to HCO

HCO users can contact other HCO users through Alabama Relay. The CA will voice to both parties what is typed on each user's TTY.

For Voice Carryover Users

Voice Carryover (VCO) allows hard-of-hearing users to speak directly to a hearing person. When the hearing person speaks to you, a CA will serve as your "ears" and type everything said to you on a TTY or text display.

1. Dial the VCO Direct number, 1-800-548-0259.
2. Alabama Relay will answer with "8234" (for CA identification), "F" or "M" (for CA gender) and Voice (or type) now.
3. Voice or type the area code and telephone number of the party you want to call.
4. The CA will type the message "Voice Now" to you as your cue to start speaking. You speak directly to the hearing person. The CA will not repeat what you say, but only type to you what the hearing person says. You both need to say "GA" at the end of your response.

VCO with Privacy

This is similar to the standard VCO feature. However, the CA will not hear the caller speaking through Alabama Relay, and only type voiced responses back to the VCO user.

Two-Line VCO

Two-line VCO allows a customer with two telephone lines to use one line for speaking directly to a hearing person while the other line is used to receive the hearing person's typed responses at the same time. This feature provides a more natural flow of conversation without the pauses of single-line calls.

VCO to TTY

The CA will only type what you say to the TTY user you are calling. Whatever the TTY user types will go directly to your TTY or text display equipment for you to read. "GA" is needed for this type of call.

VCO to VCO

The CA will serve as both parties' "ears" and type not only what you say to your party but also what is said to you. "GA" is needed for this type of call.

Video Relay

Video Relay Service (VRS) lets users communicate visually in natural American Sign Language (ASL) for a richer communications experience. VRS allows the use of ASL in visual conversations with standard telephone users over videophone terminals or computers with high-speed line connection.

Internet Relay

Internet Relay Service makes Relay communication possible through your computer
without the use of TTY devices. www.sprintrelayonline.com

Speech to Speech

Specially trained Relay operators serve as the speech-disabled user's voice and repeat his/her responses to the called party. Relay Speech-to-Speech (STS) operator training helps speech-disabled users to be heard and understood. There may be instances where an STS user will be asked to repeat his/her message to ensure that it is conveyed correctly.

eTurbo (tm)

Enhanced Turbo Code (eTurboª) provides Relay users new speed and convenience in connecting and conducting calls with special equipment through programmed dialing preferences.

900 Number Service

Relay Users dial a separate toll-free 900 number to connect with Alabama Relay. The Relay operator will then dial the requested outbound 900 or 800 pay per call number. Upon connection to the 900 number, billing procedures will begin. (Billing procedures may apply differently depending on the 900 service called).

Telebraille Service

Relay users with impaired vision often use special TTYs equipped with telebraille. Dialing Alabama Relay's toll-free number, 1-800-877-8973, allows telebraille users to reach Communication Assistants (CAs) who are familiar with deaf-blind users and trained to provide effective solutions to your calling needs.

Computer (ASCII) Call Processing

Computer users can also access Alabama Relay directly. Set your communications software to the following protocols at speeds ranging from 300 to 2400 baud:

(Note: It may be helpful to set your "time out" to 100 seconds.)

8 Bits
No Parity
1 Stop Bit
Full Duplex

When calling at a rate of 300 baud or below, follow the above settings, using Half Duplex.

ASCII Split Screen

ASCII Split Screen is designed to allow High Speed ASCII computer users and Relay operators to type and communicate more clearly and quickly. Typed text by both the caller and the operator appears on a split screen window on the computer screen. ASCII users can interrupt the operator if needed and vice versa.

International Calling

Alabama Relay allows you to place and receive calls to and from anywhere in the world (using English or Spanish language only). Calls originating from a country outside of the US may also access Relay via Country Prefix-605-224-1837.

TTY Public Payphones

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order outlining an interim plan for access to public pay phone service through Relay services.

The order states that:

* All local calls from TTY pay phones are free of charge.
* Toll calls can be billed through calling cards and prepaid cards.
* TTY users who wish to use a coin TTY pay phone can use Alabama Relay to assist in connecting calls. There are several ways to bill non-local calls: collect; third party; calling card or prepaid card.

Directory Assistance

Alabama Relay will relay Directory Assistance (DA) calls between TTY users and the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) DA operator. Once the caller makes the request, the CA will contact the appropriate LEC DA operator. After obtaining the number, the caller may choose to place the call through Alabama Relay or dial it directly TTY to TTY.

Spanish Relay Service

Alabama Relay offers Spanish Relay service. TTY users can type in Spanish and the conversations will be relayed in Spanish. To request Spanish Relay, type in the area code and telephone number and then "SPANISH TO SPANISH GA." Also, Spanish to English Translation is offered. The dialing numbers is 1-800-548-8317 (TTY/ASCII/Voice).

Answering Machine Retrieval

TTY users can request Alabama Relay to retrieve messages from their voice answering machines or voice mail. To request answering machine retrieval, type "AMR" with instructions or password and then "GA." The CA will type, "PLS PLACE YOUR HANDSET NEXT TO YOUR ANS MACHINE AND TURN ON GA." Place your handset on the speaker part of the answering machine until all messages have been retrieved. Then place the handset back on the TTY and type "GA." The CA will type your messages.

Emergency

In case of emergency, TTY users should call 9-1-1. Calls placed directly and immediately to 9-1-1 can save valuable time in urgent situations. 9-1-1 call takers are trained to answer TTY calls. Other features include automatic call re-dial, spelling error correction and last number re-dial.