[Athen] TTY numbers -- still a thing?

[Teresa Haven]

Hi, Kathy.  We still maintain TTY/TDD lines and devices, even though we are moving to an otherwise VOIP communications network. Just as you say, it's important to provide communications options for consumers who may still be using older technology, and since a significant percentage of our consumer base is rural, many don't have the option of high-speed internet that's required for Video Relay.  TTY/TDD numbers are advertised by departments that still maintain them as part of their general contact information (along with physical and email addresses, and voice and fax line numbers). We don't get very many calls on those lines these days, but we still feel it's important to offer the option.

Hope this helps,
Teresa

Teresa Haven, Ph.D.
Accessibility Analyst, Northern Arizona University



From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Kathleen Cahill
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2016 7:18 AM
To: Access Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] TTY numbers -- still a thing?

Hi Colleagues,

We recently had a discussion with our Telecommunications staff who were trying to track down the former sites of all TTY devices that were on campus.  A lot of them have been disconnected and or gotten rid of since they are an older technology.  However, I would like to ask how your university is handling this issue.  Do you have any TTYs on campus?  Are they advertised on the university contact page?  I know that Video Relay is much more in use as well as email by deaf/HOH users but I would like to know if there are any good reasons to retain TTYs, perhaps for consumers who have older technologies they still use for communication.

Thanks
Kathy

Kathleen Cahill
MIT Assistive Technology Information Center (ATIC)
77 Mass. Ave. 7-143
Cambridge MA 02139
(617) 253-5111
kcahill at mit.edu<mailto:kcahill at mit.edu>

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