Are there any telephone services available for individuals with speech disabilities that do not require TTY (text telephone) devices?
• A: Yes there is! The service is called Speech-to-Speech (STS). The Federal Communication Commission has mandated that as of March 1, 2001, all states must have a STS system in place. This service will eliminate the need for expensive TTY (text telephone) devices by allowing callers to use their own voice, voice synthesizer, or voice enhancer. Specially trained Communication Assistants will then revoice what the caller has said to the listener. STS is an excellent service for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy or any other disability that makes it difficult to communicate via speech. This service is free of charge and is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about this service or to find the service’s number in your state, click on the link provided above. Q: My son used a trackball and more recently a pressure pad to interface with his computer. He is a quadripeligic and holds a pencil with an eraser
