NEW OPTIONS FOR PAYPHONE RELAY CALLS The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed rules to ensure that individuals can use telecommunications relay services (TRS) to make calls from payphones. Specifically, the FCC has proposed new rules to enable a TRS user to pay no more than a person making a non-TRS call would pay with respect to these calls.

In the Notice released March 16, 2001, the Commission is proposing that telephone carriers:

• Not charge TRS users for making relay calls that would otherwise be local from payphones;
• Enable TRS users to use calling cards, collect or third party billing for toll calls from payphones and not charge more than the lower of the coin sent-paid rate or the rate for the calling card, collect or third-party billing; and,
• Conduct extensive consumer education programs to educate TRS users about their payphone calling options.

This Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 01-89, Docket No.90-571) can be viewed or downloaded from the FCC Disabilities Rights Office web site.

A copy of the item in its entirety can be obtained from the Commission's Disabilities Rights Office.
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A Glossary of Telecommunications Terms

If you've ever wondered what some telecommunication terms mean, then help is available. The 1998 edition of the Glossary of Telecommunications Terms prepared by the Public Service Division of the Office of Public Affairs of the Federal Communications Commission contains many words and phrases used to describe telecommunications terms which commonly appear in Commission documents and other publications or articles on telecommunication technology.

It's available on-line and may be accessed or download in a variety of formats.

FCC Section 504 Handbook

The Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs & Activities Accessibility Handbook (Section 504 Handbook) is a collection of guidelines, information, and procedures to ensure that the Commission is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The content of the handbook is designed to assist Commission personnel in their efforts to provide such accessibility.

It's available on-line and may be accessed or download in a variety of formats.

Pennsylvania Telecommunication Device
Distribution Program

Provides free telecommunication equipment to qualifing Pennsylvania residents 6 years old or older who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or speech impaired. Must have residential telephone service and individual income of less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Certification of disability is required as signed by a Licensed Physician, Licensed Audiologist, or Licensed Speech Pathologist.

FCC Issues Public Notice on Volume Control and
Hearing Aid Compatible Telephones

By a Public Notice, released April 26, 1999, the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau reminded telephone manufacturers that all telephones, including cordless telephones, manufactured in the United States (other than for export) or imported for use in the United States, must have a volume control feature consistent with the technical standards in 47 C.F.R. § 68.317 by January 1, 2000. See 47 C.F.R. § 68.6. In addition, the Common Carrier Bureau outlines the previous and upcoming dates for hearing aid compatibility compliance for telephone equipment, as set forth in Part 68 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 68. Examples of entities and parties that may be affected by these dates include telephone manufacturers, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels/motels, and employers.

Answers to Frequently asked questions regarding HAC and volume control are available at the Common Carrier Bureau site.

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AT&T Pennsylvania Relay Service Voice Carryover Features

Innovative, easy-to-use technology can truly enrich people's lives. The AT&T Pennsylvania Relay Service's VCO features provide genuine solutions for the Communication needs of people with hearing loss who can speak.

The AT&T Pennsylvania Relay Service (PARS) facilitates communication between deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech-disabled and deaf-blind people using a keyboard device, a text telephone (TTY) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) or a Telebraille (TB) device - and people using a standard telephone, with the help of a skilled Communications Assistant (CA).

Traditionally, the CA relays the conversation back and forth by reading the user's keyboard input to the hearing person and typing the hearing person's words to the keyboard user. However, VCO enables TTY users who can speak to voice their message directly to the non-TTYy user. The CA then types the non-TTY user's response back to the TTY user.

The AT&T Pennsylvania Relay Service offers a variety of VCO features

• Voice Carryover to Text (VTT) - is designed to link a VCO user with a traditional TTY user. VTT allows a relay call between a VCO user and TTY user. The VCO user voices to the CA who proceeds to type the message to the TTY user. The CA then types the TTY users response to the VCO user.
• Voice Carryover with Privacy - This feature adds privacy to a VCO call; the CA does not hear the VCO user's part of the conversation.
• Voice to Voice (VTV) Relay - is designed for two VCO users to speak with each other via relay. This feature expands the VCO capability by allowing two hearing impaired individuals to voice their parts of a call while the CA types for both parties. VTV is ideal for two TTY users who can speak but who may not know how to type or may be physically unable to type.
• Two-line Voice Carryover - is designed to meet the needs of personal computer and ASCII users. A customer with conference calling capability on his or her phone line can utilize the two-line VCO feature by using one line for voicing and the other for receiving Baudot or ASCII transmission. Since the Two-line VCO user is directly connected to the hearing party, the two-line VCO user can talk directly to the hearing party without waiting for "go ahead" (GA) commands. This feature allows for a more natural, interactive relay call and this call type is becorning more and more popular with computer users.

Making The Call

To place a Voice Carryover call:

1. Call PARS at 1-800-654-5984.
2. PARS will send this message "PARS GA." (There is no CA on line at this point.)
3. Type the area code and telephone number that you arc calling. Then type "VCO GA." Typing this information will speed the processing of your call.
   (If you would rather give the CA the telephone number verbally, immediately type "VCO PLS GA.')
4. Your call will be transferred to a CA whose identification number and gender ("M" for male and "F" for female) will appear on your display. The CA will then type "VCO READY GA."
5. When the person you are calling answers, you can speak directly to him or her. Remember to say "Go Ahead" when you are ready for the person you are calling to respond. The CA will then type his or her response.

Establish a Relay Choice Profile

Establishing a Relay Choice Profile will make the placing of VCO calls even more convenient. Your Relay Choice Profile is linked directly to your telephone number and it allows you to preselect the services and features you want to use when you make a relay call. VCO is a profile feature. To make a call, VCO users should first type the number that they want to call (VCO will already be turned on) and when the CA comes on-line, the VCO user can speak. The CA then types the non-TTY user's response back. Best of all, when VCO users receive a call, they'll be able to answer the phone by speaking naturally because this feature will be automatically activated.

For more information, contact the AT&T Relay Customer Care Center at 1-800-682-8786 (TTY) or 1-800-682-8706 (Voice).

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