States with 711 TRS Access
(Last updated: 10/01/01)
NATIONWIDE 711 TRS
ACCESS as of October 1, 2001
October 1, 2001 is the day that 711 is mandated to be made available
nationwide!
Go ahead and try dialing 711 on your next relay call to see if it will
reach the TRS in your state. 711 works regardless of whether you use
TTYs or standard telephones, including VCO, HCO, STS and Spanish Relay.
Although every effort has been made to alert administrators of pay phones,
cellular phones and office phone systems, certain types of phone systems
may need reprogramming to recognize 711 as a valid number and direct it to
your state TRS center. If you are unable to reach your state TRS
from your phone, below is an announcement from the FCC that includes
instructions on how to file a complaint.
From FCC's website:
OCTOBER 1 BEGINS NEW ERA OF TELEPHONE ACCESS
711 Will Permit Easy Nationwide Access to
Relay Services
On October 1 of this year our country begins a new era of telephone
access. That is the day that the familiar calling shortcuts of 911 and 411
will be joined by 711 - the new three digit number for access to all
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
It's fast, functional and free.
TRS facilitates telephone conversations between people who do and those
who do not have hearing or speech disabilities. In one type of TRS, a text
telephone (TTY) user calls a voice telephone user through a TRS provider
(or relay center), where a communications assistant places the call to the
voice user, and then relays the conversation by transcribing spoken
content for the TTY user and reading text aloud for the voice user.
711 is good news for everyone, not just persons with disabilities. Both
voice and TRS users will be able to initiate a call from any telephone,
anywhere in the United States, without having to remember and dial a seven
or ten-digit access number. There are currently over 100 separate numbers
nationwide for accessing relay services. Being able to dial the same three
digits nationwide to access TRS, instead of having to be familiar with
each state's unique access number, makes TRS much more accessible in our
mobile society.
Under the new rules adopted last year by the FCC, 711 TRS dialing must be
provided by all telecommunications carriers in the United States,
including wireline, wireless, and payphone providers. The FCC rule also
encourages all PBX suppliers to configure their systems for 711 access to
TRS.
In addition, to ensure the efficient, effective, and successful use of 711
access to TRS, the FCC required carriers and relay providers, in
cooperation with the states, to engage in on-going and comprehensive
education and outreach programs to publicize the availability of 711
access.
If consumers find that they are unable to get 711 TRS access after October
1, they should contact the FCC's Consumer Center at:
1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice)
or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY)
or by e-mail at access@fcc.gov.
711 may not work with cellular phones, even if the states do
offer 711 access - contact your service provider or the relay
administrator in your state.
Additionally, some office phone systems may require reprogramming
in order to make 711 accessible on those systems. Contact your
employer's or office building telecommunications specialist.
The entire country of Canada also has 711 in each of its
provinces.
For 7-1-1 Professionals only:
See special rates
for pre-set 7-1-1 "ad spots" for your
services!
