press release
Relay Utah Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Distribution and Services in Utah
Distribution Totals Through September 2008
SALT LAKE CITY—October 22, 2008—Relay Utah, one of the first relay telecommunication services offered in the United States, marks 20 years providing free “relay” translation services between hearing and hard of hearing/deaf individuals and communication-assistive equipment to help hard of hearing and deaf Utahns communicate with hearing individuals.
Managed by the Utah Public Service Commission, Relay Utah’s Telecommunication Relay Specialists have distributed 566 amplified, CapTel text captioning phones and text telephones (TTY) from January through September 2008.
“This has been a success-filled year for more than one reason. Not only are we celebrating our twentieth anniversary, we are proud to say we are on track for a record year of equipment distribution,” said Julie Orchard, commission secretary. “It is fulfilling to look back on 20 successful years of service to Utah’s deaf and hard of hearing and to realize that we are achieving our goal to help hard of hearing and deaf individuals with the services and equipment to connect with friends, family and business associates.”
The Relay Utah equipment distribution program is designed specifically for hard of hearing or deaf individuals in Utah. Amplified phones are hearing aid compatible and assist the user in hearing words clearly without distortion and CapTel phones include a text display where users can read a captioned version of their phone conversation. Relay Utah’s equipment distribution program loans equipment at no cost to qualifying Utah residents.
In addition to the equipment distribution program, the 7-1-1 “relay” translation service facilitates 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. Relay Utah is subsidized though a $.10 telephone surcharge.
Information and equipment applications can be obtained on the Relay Utah website at www.relayutah.gov or by calling the Utah Public Service Commission at 801-530-6638 (V/TTY). The telecommunication “relay” service is available statewide by dialing 7-1-1.
Press Contacts:
Julie Orchard, Public Service Commission, jorchard@utah.gov, 801-530-6713
Stephanie Miller, PPBH PR for Relay Utah, smiller@ppbh.com, 801-487-4800 x107
Brandie Gillette, PPBH PR for Relay Utah, bgillette@ppbh.com, 801-487-4800 x106