press release
2005 Marks Record Year for Helping Utah’s Hard of Hearing and Deaf
Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Increased by 92 Percent
SALT LAKE CITY--January 31, 2006—Relay Utah, the Utah Public
Service Commission service that provides telecommunication
equipment and relay services for hard of hearing and deaf Utahns, reports a 92 percent increase in the distribution of
amplified, captioning and text telephones in 2005 over 2004
distribution totals.
“This is a rewarding milestone for Relay Utah,” said Julie
Orchard, commission secretary. “Every day we focus on
helping hard of hearing, deaf and hearing Utahns more easily
connect with each other and communicate more efficiently. It
is tremendously motivating to see the continuing progress of
this service.”
In addition to the equipment program, the 7-1-1 “relay”
translation service facilitated thousands of calls between
deaf, hard of hearing and hearing individuals. This free
service is available by dialing 7-1-1. A Relay Communications
Assistant (CA) will “relay” communication between an
individual using a hearing-assistive phone and a standard
phone. Relay Utah is also offered in Spanish by calling
888-346-3162.
Information about the equipment program can be obtained on the
relayutah.gov site or by calling the Utah Public Service
Commission at 801-530-6638. The telecommunication “relay”
service is available statewide by dialing 7-1-1.
“We are continuing to receive requests about the
telecommunication equipment services at a steady rate and the
outlook for reaching an even greater number of individuals in
2006 looks very promising,” said Orchard.
Relay Utah was established in 1988 and was one of the first
relay services to be established in the United States. The
Public Service Commission continually strives to provide a
service for the more than 220,000 Utahns who have difficulty
with hearing and/or speaking over the telephone to communicate
with each other and with the hearing community. Relay Utah is
subsidized though a $.10 telephone surcharge.
For more information regarding Relay Utah or telecommunication
equipment, please visit www.relayutah.gov or call (801)
530-6769 (V/TTY).
Press Contacts:
Julie Orchard, Public Service Commission, jorchard@utah.gov,
801-530-6713
Stephanie Miller, PPBH Public Relations for Relay Utah, smiller@ppbh.com,
801-487-4800 x107