TRS permits a person with a hearing or speech
disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other
device to call persons with or without such disabilities. To make using TRS as
simple as possible, a caller can simply dial 711 to automatically be connected
to a TRS operator. It’s fast, functional and free. Dialing 711, both voice and
TRS users can place a call from any telephone, anywhere in the United States,
without having to remember to dial a seven- or ten-digit telephone number.
711 dialing does not work for Video Relay
Service (VRS), Internet Protocol (IP) relay or IP Captions Telephone Service
(ICTS) relay calls as such calls are initiated through the Internet. Hearing
persons with a VRS or IP relay call should contact their provider’s 800 number.
IPCTS users should call their party directly, and a communications assistant
will be automatically connected to the call.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires
that people with disabilities who use TTYs or other devices have direct, equal
access to emergency response services. In the event of an emergency, TTY users
should call 911 directly and not make a TRS call via 711.