services for the disabled

What is TDD Service?
TDDs (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf) are typewriter like devices that permit hearing-or speech-impaired persons to communicate via the telephone with other TDD-users. The phone receiver fits into an acoustic coupler on the typewriter-like devices and permits the users to type messages. Our Business Office sells TDD Units. Call for more information and prices.

Changes Or Questions About TDD Service
Contact the Business office to establish or change your TDD service. For billing, repair service, and other questions about your TDD account during regular business hours, dial 850-227-7317. After hours dial 1-800-855-1155.

Operator Assistance for TDD Users
If you use TDD and need help placing local, long distance, collect, Calling Card, third number or other operator assisted calls, or if you get cut off on a call, you can reach TDD/TTY Operator Service at any time by dialing the toll-free number. Although there is no charge for calling the 800 number, the applicable operator service charges and long distance charges apply. TDD only: 1-800-855-1155.

Special Rates For Long Distance Calls
If you or someone in your household is hearing or speech impaired and use a TDD, your home phone service may be eligible for special rates on long distance calls that you dial yourself.

Contact your primary long distance carrier for information on the availability of special rates.

To qualify for theses rates, a physician, audiologist , speech pathologist, or a representative of an appropriate state agency must sign a form that you need the TDD to communicate over the phone line. Forms are available from the business office. Call 1-850-227-7317.

Exemptions From Directory Assistance Charges
Also, if an impairment makes it impossible for you to look up numbers in the phone book, call us to see if you qualify for exemption from charges for calls to the local Directory Assistance Operator. This exemption applies only to your home phone service.

Exemptions From Operator Services Charges
If a physical impairment prevents you from placing phone calls for yourself, we don't want you to pay the added cost of having the operator place calls for you. Advise the operator as to the reason why you qualify for exemption from the usual charges for operator-assisted calls. This exemption applies only to your home phone service.

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) distributes specialized telecommunications devices, FREE-OF-CHARGE, to eligible deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind and speech-impaired citizens of Florida. FTRI provides Volume Control Telephone for the hearing or speech impaired, and TDDs. Large Visual Display TTys. and Braille TTys to deaf and blind citizens, Audible, Visual and Tactile Ring Signaling Devices are also available through this program.

For Application of Information call:
1-800-222-3448 (voice)
1-888-447-5620 (TTY)
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The Florida Relay Service
The Florida Relay Service (FRS) provides a communication link between people who use standard telephone equipment and those individuals who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). FRS provides telephone access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

To use FRS, call:
7-1-1 or
1-800-955-1339 (TTY ASCH Callers)
1-800-955-8771-(TTY Baudot Callers)
1-800-955-8770-(VOICE Callers)

The Telecommunications Access Act of 1991 (TASA mandates that the FTRi Equipment Distribution program and the Florida Relay Service be funded by a monthly surcharge billed to all phone customers in Florida.

Georgia Relay Service
The Georgia Relay Service can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 7-1-1. Additional numbers: (1) 1-800-255-0135, for hearing persons and (2) 1-800-255-0056, for text telephone users operational as well. There is no charge for dialing 7-1-1, and all options available to Georgia TRS users through the existing 800 numbers are available for 7-1-1 users.

The Georgia Relay Service relays messages for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability. Each call is handled in strict confidence. Local calls are relayed free of charge, and long distance calls are billed at a 25% discount. This service enables callers to place relay calls between Georgia and other locations in the United States and Internationally to English-speaking persons. Also, persons with a speech disability can utilize the Speech to Speech (STS) relay through the Georgia Relay Service. Speech to Speech enables a speech disabled person to use the Georgia Relay Service with his/her synthesizer, rather than using a TDD/TTY. To access Speech to Speech services, call 1-800-229-5746.

Please note that 7-1-1 is only to be used to reach the Georgia TRS. For emergency calls, continue to dial 9-1-1.