| Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD/TTY) |
Steuben County 9-1-1 provides equal access to citizens using TDD devices for communications. TDD is a text message system that is used by speech and/or hearing-impaired individuals to communicate via phone lines with other TDD users. Each end of a TDD call must have a TDD device.
If the TDD caller could press the space bar several times when we answer the phone this will greatly assist our 9-1-1 center in detecting a TDD call. However if we do not detect Baudot tones and there is no voice response on a call, we will still send a TDD message. Please note: With TDD calls you will not be able to interrupt when the other person is typing. Therefore it's important to remember that short words and sentences are desired.
Some sample messages when communicating with TDD users
- 911 WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY Q GA
- WHAT IS YOUR NAME Q GA
- WHAT ADDRESS TO SEND HELP Q GA
- STAY CALM HELP IS ON THE WAY…
- STAY NEXT TO YOUR TDD HD…
- DO U NEED A AMBULANCE Q GA
Some other TDD terminology they may be used when communicating
- Afternoon/Evening - PM
- Although - THO
- Are - R
- Because - CUZ
- Center - CTR
- Could - CUD
- Go Ahead - GA meaning your turn to type
- Hold - HD
- Morning - AM
- Number - NBR
- Oh , I see - OIC
- Operator - OPR
- Pause (thinking) - HMMM
- Please - PLS
- Questions - Q
- See you later - CUL
- Should - SHUD
- Stop keying (end of conversation) - SK
- Tomorrow - TMR
- Would - WUD
- You - U
- Your - UR
If you have someone in your household that uses a TDD, please contact Steuben County Communications at (260) 668-1000, ext 4000.