Do health care providers need to provide accessible telephone services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals?
Health care providers that routinely provide telephone services must make these services available to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. [28 C.F.R. 36.303] There are several ways of doing so. A provider may purchase a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD). A TDD is an inexpensive device with a keyboard that sends and receives written messages over the telephone lines. Many deaf and hard of hearing individuals use TDDs. Health care providers who lack TDDs may receive incoming TDD calls through relay systems. Relay enables those who use TDDs to communicate by telephone with individuals who use voice telephones. In a relay system, a third person, called a communications assistant, reads to the voice telephone user what the TDD user types, then types what the voice telephone user says to the TDD user. Health care providers are not charged for the use of the relay center. Relay operators are required to maintain confidentiality. Telephone numbers for Relay Connecticut are (800) 842
Related Questions
- What are the obligations of places of public accommodation to make their telephone services accessible for incoming telephone calls?
- When do health care providers need to provide accessible telephone services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals?
- Do health care providers need to provide accessible telephone services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals?
