University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Using the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)

A TDD (sometimes still known as TTY, or more recently TT for Text Telephone) is a device used by people with hearing and speech impairments who cannot use a standard telephone.

When you answer the phone, you know it’s a TDD call when you hear:

• a rapid clinking sound after you answer the phone indicates a TDD call
• no sound or voice at all (it may still be a TDD call)

It is difficult to break the habit of hanging up when you don’t get a quick response, but it is critical that everyone who has TDD in their office to be aware of this. All the knowledge in the world about how to use a TDD won’t do any good if the call never goes through!

To begin a TDD call:

1. Turn on the TDD.
2. place your phone receiver on the TDD (picture on TDD will show you which direction)
3. Type your normal office greeting message: e.g., “Hello, Registrar’s Office.”
4. After complete your message type “GA“ for “Go Ahead“. This lets the caller know that you have completed what you are saying and it is their turn to speak/type.
5. The caller will read what you have typed and will respond. When you see “GA”, you’ll know it’s your turn to type your response.
6. When one party thinks the conversation is over he or she will say “Bye, SK“ for “Stop Keying“.
7. Typing “SK” or “GA or SK” leaves the conversation open for the other person to respond before ending the conversation.
8. Typing “SKSK“ means that you are certain the conversation is complete and you may hang up and turn off the TDD.

To call someone on the TDD:

1. Turn on the TDD.
2. Dial the phone number on your standard telephone, listen for the phone to ring or give a busy signal.
3. When you hear the TDD-sound, place the receiver on the TDD as stated above.
4. After the greeting phrase and “GA” scroll across the display, identify yourself and proceed with the conversation.

Note: Contact Disability Resource Center at (501) 569-3143

if you need any further assistance using the TDD or Arkansas Relay Service or purchasing a TDD for your office.

Helpful Hints

• Use standard punctuation and other short cuts like typing “Q” at the end of a statement indicating a question.
• Add emotion to your typing. If something is funny, type in “Ha!”, “laughing”, “smile”, “big grin”, or even “I’m laughing so hard I’m rolling on the floor!”. This is considered a courtesy and a way of making conversation more personal.
• Don’t backspace too much when you make typing mistakes. Just type XX and continue.

Common Abbreviations