Call 1-800-949-4ADA
for Technical Assistance

Using a TTY

For more information, additional copies, or copies in alternative formats, call the Access Board at:  202/272-5449 TTY, 202/272-5434 Voice 800/USA-ABLE (V/TTY)

This device is also referred to as a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) or a Text Telephone.

TTY Instruction Sheet

This pamphlet describes how to handle TTY calls and gives a list of TTY abbreviations and syntax often used by persons with speech and hearing impairments.

If your TTY phone is also used for voice calls, be sure the person who answers your phone by voice knows how to recognize and answer a TTY call. Usually a TTY call can be identified by a voice announcer saying, "this is a TTY call," or a high-pitched, electronic, beeping sound. However, some TTYs do not have voice announcers or make the beeping sound or the person calling may forget to tap the space bar to produce it. Therefore, if youhear no voice, assume it is a TTY call.

TTYs should be placed near a telephone so there is minimal delay in answering TTY calls. Further, this phone should be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

Receiving and Concluding a TTY Call
  1. Place the phone receiver in the receiver cradle of your TTY adapter. (For correct receiver placement, note picture, notch, or the word "cord.") Turn your TTY on.

  2. The person who answers the call is the first to type. Type your agency name and your name. Then type "GA."

  3. "GA" means go ahead and type. This is the signal for the other person to begin typing. "HD" means hold. This is the signal that the person typing must stop for a minute, but he/she will be back. In fact, do not leave the phone unless you first type "HD.' "SK" means stop keying. This is how you show that the conversation is ended and that you will hang up. It is polite to type good-bye, thank you for calling, or some other closing remark before you type "SK."
    Some sample opening and closing messages are:
    Hello, Access Board, this is Jane Smith, may I help u? GA
    Dept. of Justice, Ms. Smith here. May I help u? GA
    Good AM, this is Ms. Smith at the Dept. of Agriculture. GA
    Thank u for calling, bye to SK or GA
    Have a good day. GA to SK

Because of the amount of time it takes to send and receive messages, it's important to remember that short words and sentences are desired by both parties (see list of common TTY terminology below).

Please Note:
 With TTY calls you will not be able to interrupt when the other person is typing. Sometimes you may get a garbled message in all numbers or mixed numbers and letters. You should strike the space bar and see if the message clears up. If not, when the person stops typing, you should say, "Message all garbled, please repeat." If the garbled messages continue, this may mean that one of the TTYs is not working properly or that you have a bad connection. In this case you should say something like, "Let's hang up and you call me back or I'll call you back."

Making a TTY Call
  1. Again, place the phone receiver securely in the TTY receiver cradle and turn on your TTY. Make sure you have a dial tone by checking for a steady light on the TTY status indicator.

  2. Dial the number and watch the status indicator light to see if the dialed number is ringing. The ring will make a long slow flash or two short flashes with a pause in between. If the line is busy, you will see short, continuous flashes on your indicator light. When the phone is answered, you will see an irregular light signal as the phone is picked up and placed in the cradle. If you are calling a
    combination TTY and voice number, and do not have a voice announcer on your TTY, you should tap the space bar several times to help the person on the other end identify this as a TTY call.

Please Note:
If your call is not answered via TTY after 1 0 to 15 seconds, you should again tap the space bar to let the person know that it is a TTY call. If you still receive no answer, this could mean one of several things. You may have dialed an incorrect number, or your call did not go through. A signal on your monitor light that someone is speaking may mean you have reached a recorded message.

Additional Information

If you make a mistake in spelling, you can either type "xxx" and then retype the correct spelling or use the Back Space key to delete the misspelled word(s).

To type numbers on some TTYS, you may have to use the Shift key. Consult your TTY manual for specific operating instructions.

The message of some TTY callers may appear to be in nonstandard English. Please do not mistake this as a lack of intelligence on the part of the caller. Instead, it may be due to differences between hearing and deaf cultures or the use of TTY terminology. Extend the same patience and courtesy to TTY callers as you do to all others.

Common TDD Terminology

Afternoon/Evening PM
Operator OPR
Although THO
Pause (thinking) HMMM
Are R
Please PLS
Because CUZ
Question Q
Center CTR
See you later CUL
Could CUD
Should SHUD
Go ahead (your turn, to type) GA
Stop keying (end of conversation) SK
Hold HD
To show appreciation SMILE
Meeting MTG
Tomorrow TMR
Morning AM
Would WUD
Number NBR
You U
Oh, I see OIC
Your UR

contact us: DBTAC Southwest ADA Center
800-949-4232 or 713-520-0232 v/tty