Date: 10/19/2007
For Immediate Release
Captioned Telephone Relay Service — for People with Reduced Hearing in Pennsylvania
AURORA, NE – Hamilton Telephone Company d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications (Hamilton) today announced an agreement with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to provide Pennsylvania Captioned Telephone Relay Service. PA CTRS is a service designed for individuals who have difficulty hearing on the telephone. Captioned Telephone Service is similar to the closed captioning provided on most television programs.
Captioned Telephone (CapTel®) is a technology developed by Ultratec, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin that allows individuals with hearing loss to view word-for-word captions of their telephone conversations. This device is perfect for individuals who have understandable speech but do not hear well over the telephone.
Similar to a traditional telephone, the CapTel phone allows hard of hearing callers to talk and listen to individuals using a traditional telephone. While listening to the voice of the other party, the CapTel phone also allows the user to read word for word captions of the other party's conversation on the CapTel's built-in screen. Captions are provided by a specially trained operator who "re-voices" everything heard from the hearing user into the voice-recognition technology, converting speech into text so that it can be read on the CapTel phone's screen. The captions appear almost simultaneously with the spoken word, allowing CapTel users to understand everything that is said - either by hearing it or by reading it. CapTel allows individuals who are hard of hearing the ability to enjoy natural flowing, interactive conversations. The CapTel phone features adjustable levels of amplification (up to an additional 35 dB that work in conjunction with a hearing aid's telecoil) along with simultaneously transmitted captions for complete confidence. The CapTel is not a TTY; rather it is a telephone designed to allow the user to have natural back and forth conversations with the support of captions.
Hamilton's provision of Captioned Telephone Relay Service includes 2-Line CapTel Service. 2-Line CapTel Service truly enhances the functional equivalency and quality of CapTel Service. 2-Line CapTel benefits users because calls are direct between parties. 2-Line CapTel also supports enhancements that users have purchased from their local telephone company, including call waiting and Automatic Call Back (*69). Another advantage is that captions can be turned on or off at any time during the call. This means that CapTel users can get captions on any call at any time, no matter where the call is coming from. In addition, multiple users in the same location can enjoy a conversation via another extension in the home or office. Users also benefit because captioning is available on emergency 911 calls and there is no separate telephone number for voice callers to remember.
The 2-Line CapTel works by using two telephone lines, the CapTel users listen to their conversation on one line while receiving typed text from the captioning service on the other line. When a CapTel user receives a call, the standard telephone user will simply dial the user's telephone line directly instead of dialing an 800 number and accessing the captioning service. When calling 911 in emergency situations, the 2-Line CapTel users' call is connected through the captioning center on the second line allowing the user to receive captions on one line and hear the conversation on the other line.
"Hamilton is constantly striving to provide its customers with the latest developments in telecommunications and technology, resulting in services that are functionally equivalent to traditional telephone services. Hamilton is pleased to offer Captioned Telephone Relay Service to the residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," says Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of Hamilton Relay.
There are several ways to apply for Pennsylvania Captioned Telephone Relay Service (PA CTRS) equipment.
- Pennsylvania's Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP):
TDDP provides specialized equipment, without charge, to eligible Pennsylvanians with disabilities that impede independent access to telephone services.
For more information on the TDDP, or to download an application, please visit PIAT's website at http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/piat. To have an application mailed to you, or to speak with someone regarding the program, you may call the TDDP Program Manager at: 800-204-7428 (toll free voice) or 866-268-0579 (toll free TTY), or email TDDP@temple.edu.
The mailing address is:
Telecommunication Device Distribution Program
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)
University Services Building, Suite 610
1601 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
- $99 Program
Hamilton has arranged, for a limited time only, to make captioned telephone equipment available for just $99.00 (normally a retail value of $495). This offer comes with a 90-day trial period, which guarantees that if the customer is not entirely happy with the CapTel phone, s/he can return the phone for a full refund within 3 months. To obtain a CapTel phone, customers simply submit a completed order form to WCI, the company that sells CapTel phones. Order forms are available via the Pennsylvania CTRS website (/states/pa.htm) and Customer Service.
For more information on how to sign up for Pennsylvania Captioned Telephone Relay Service or if you have any questions, please contact:
Hamilton Relay Customer Service
P.O. Box 285
Aurora, NE 68818
(800) 618.4781 V/TTY
relay@hamiltonrelay.com
About the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
About Hamilton Relay
Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Internet Relay, Video Relay, Wireless Relay and CapTel. All services are available at www.hamiltonrelay.com. Hamilton Relay provides traditional relay services to 15 states, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands.
CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.
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