Dialing 711 enables phone calls for deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled individuals

“Hello. A person who is deaf or hard of hearing is calling you through the Relay.”

It may sound a bit like a telemarketer, but Relay Colorado urges folks on the receiving end of a call that begins with such a message to stay on the line.

Funded by a surcharge established by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Relay Colorado offers free 24-hour services to callers and phone call recipients who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech disabled.

Connecting is as simple as dialing 711. An operator will then dial the other party’s number and will relay the conversation by typing or voicing.

Depending on a caller’s unique needs, there are several different services available through Relay Colorado. If the 711 number does not work, a list of numbers for the different services is available online at www.relaycolorado.com.

Some options require special equipment. Through the Colorado Communications Technology Program, some telecommunications equipment may be available for free to certain deaf and hard of hearing Colorado citizens. For information or to get an application, visit ccdhh.com/index.php/ct program/.

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