Arizona Relay Service
TTY Etiquette
Below are some examples of proper etiquette for TTY calls.
- When calling TTY users, let the phone ring at least 7 or more times before hanging up. Many deaf and hard of hearing TTY users rely on flashing lights to alert them to ringing phones. Flashers can take longer than sound to attract attention.
- Callers should identify themselves at the beginning of calls. Any other people who may be watching the conversation also should be identified.
- Callers should use the standard abbreviations of GA, Q, HD, and SK.
- Always tell TTY users when calls are going to be put on "hold" or transferred.
- When TTY users type "Can you read me?" they want to know if the message is clear and without garbled letters and numbers. If the message is garbled, hit the space bar a few times. If this does not clear up the message, both parties should hang up and try the call again.
- Can I save the TTY paper print-out? If you keep it, you should have the other person's knowledge and consent. This is similar to a hearing person's phone conversation being recorded. Therefore, it may be an unethical invasion of privacy and illegal if the other person doesn't know you're keeping the paper print-out. TTY print-outs may be used as admissible evidence in the courtroom. If there is important information on the print-out such as a date, address or phone #, copy it and then destroy the TTY print-out.
| Commonly Used Abreviations | |
|---|---|
| ABT-About | ANS-Answer |
| ASAP-As soon as possible | |
| ASST-Assistant | BIZ-Business |
| CA-Communication Assistant (Relay Operator) | CC-Close-captioned |
| CD-Could | CHK-Check |
| CMTY-Community | CN-Can |
| COLL-College | CSTMR--Customer |
| CTR--Center | CUL-See you later |
| GA-Go ahead | GA TO SK-Go ahead if you have more to say but I'm finished |
| GOVT-Government | HAND-Have a nice day |
| HD-Hold | HLTH-Health |
| HOH or HH-hard-of-hearing | HOSP--Hospital |
| INFO-Information | ILY-I love you |
| IMPT-important | |
| KIT -Keep in touch | LK FRWD-Look forward |
| LTR-Letter | LV-Leave |
| MIN-Minute | MSG-Message |
| MTG-Meeting | N-And |
| NBR or NU-Number | NITE-Night |
| NP-No Problem | NOYB-None of your business |
| NTID-National Technical Institute for the Deaf | OIC-Oh I see |
| OFC-Office | OC-Open-captioned |
| OPR-Operator | OXOX-Love and Kisses |
| PRGM--Program | PLS-Please |
| PPL-People | PROB-Problem |
| PRO-Professional | Q-Question |
| R-Are | RD-Read |
| REC-Receive | SCHL-School |
| SPEC-Special | SRVC or SVC or SERV-Service |
| SHD -Should | SK-Stop Keying (end of call) |
| SKSK-Hanging Up | TERP--Interpreter |
| THX-Thanks | TRS-Telecommunications Relay Service |
| TY-Thank you | TMW-Tomorrow |
| U-You | UR-Your |
| URS-Yours | HCO-Hearing Carry Over (Relay Service) |
| VCO-Voice Carry Over (Relay Service) | XX--Error |