Relay service
Relay services are services that assist people with hearing impairment in telecommunications .
A relay service is used primarily when a hearing-impaired person wants to communicate with someone who only has a speech telephone (landline or mobile), but the hearing-impaired person does not have or cannot use one.
principle
A relay service offers the hearing-impaired person to make contact via standard written or video-based telecommunication terminals , converts the message into speaking mode by a trained person and sends it to the subscriber with a speakerphone. His replica is converted back into the receiving mode of the hearing-impaired call participant and sent to him in the same way.
There are services with simultaneously expiring sign language interpretation with access either via ISDN - video phone , SIP video phone, UMTS -capable mobile phone , PC with webcam and special software . There are also services with the simultaneous conversion of writing (from fax , e-mail , writing phone or SMS ) into spoken language and back.
procedure
For a current phone call, the relay service is contacted in writing or by phone and informed about the call request and the phone number (or email address etc.) of the other person. After this registration, the service calls the desired partner and informs him of the communication request. After mutual confirmation, the actual conversation begins.
costs
Germany
A monthly or annual basic fee and additional costs per telephone unit of time are common. In some cases, the necessary devices (e.g. video telephones ) or PC software are made available.
The cost regulation must be clarified with the relay service provider before using it. Either this is done via the responsible integration offices after application on the basis of the Communication Aid Ordinance or through a personal contract between user and service provider.
Switzerland
Switching services using text-based relay services are part of the basic service in the telecommunications sector in Switzerland ; for video- based relay services , this is the subject of clarification. As the basic provider, Swisscom transferred the transcription service to the external service provider Stiftung procom and finances it. Therefore, access to a relay service is free for customers and can be used without registration. Relay services that are not under a contractual relationship with Swisscom have to be financed by donations or invoicing and are far less well known.
If special hardware or software has to be purchased, the disability insurance will cover the costs if it is proven necessary .
See also
Web links
- Telephone services - telephone aids and services for people with hearing loss - guidelines for the hörkomm.de project - barrier-free hearing and communication in the world of work