Benefits of IP Captioned Telephone Service
IP CTS allows persons with hearing loss to take advantage of
advancements in communication technologies and Internet connections at
their residences and work places to more effectively use the telephone
in their jobs. In addition, with some forms of the service, captions can
be displayed on a screen in large text, using variable fonts and
colors, thus accommodating individuals with hearing
disabilities who also have low vision.
Temporary Requirements
To ensure that IP CTS is provided efficiently to persons who need to
use this service, the Commission recently established the following
requirements on a temporary basis:
- IP CTS providers are prohibited from offering financial and other
rewards to consumers, charitable organizations, and audiologists and
other professionals for the referral and registration of new IP CTS
customers. - New IP CTS users must self-certify to the provider that (1) they
have a hearing loss requiring use of the service to effectively
communicate over the phone, (2) they understand that the captioning
service is provided by a live CA, and (3) they understand that the cost
of the IP CTS calls is funded by the TRS Fund. If the user obtains IP
CTS equipment for free or for less than $75, s/he must also provide
certification that s/he needs IP CTS to communicate effectively over the
phone from a third party professional. However, individuals who spend
$75 or more for their end user equipment need only provide
self-certification. - IP CTS phones must have as a default setting that the captions are
turned off, so that consumers need to turn on the captions for each
call.
Emergency Call Handling Procedures
The FCC has adopted procedures for IP captioned telephone services(CTS) that require the provider, at minimum, to automatically and
immediately transfer an emergency call to the appropriate 911 call
center or ensure that appropriate personnel are notified of the
emergency.
IP CTS providers must also: 1) prioritize emergency calls over
nonemergency calls; 2) communicate to the emergency personnel answering
the call the name of the TRS user, the location of the emergency, the
name of the provider, the CA’s call-back number, and the CA’s
identification number; and 3) re-establish contact between the caller
and emergency personnel if the call is disconnected.
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| CapTel Captioned Telephone | Now you can read captions of everything your caller says |
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