Relay Texas
Most Texans are now able to reach Relay Texas by dialing 7-1-1 instead of dialing the 10-digit 800 numbers. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has set aside 7-1-1 specifically for states to use for their relay services. Use of 7-1-1 supplements access to the Texas Relay System, and does NOT replace or change the existing 800 access numbers for voice or TTY users.
By dialing 7-1-1 both hearing and deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-impaired users can initiate a Relay Texas call. Specially trained operators of the Relay Texas System answer the calls to the Relay Center and relay the conversation between the two parties by using equipment that enables them to hear the voice user and read the signals from the TTY (text telephone) user. All calls are handled with strict confidentiality.
NOTE: 7-1-1 is not to be confused with 9-1-1. Some have asked if 7-1-1 is an "emergency number of TTY users." IT IS NOT! It is simply a short cut to dialing the Relay service. In an emergency, relay users should always call 9-1-1. In an emergency, every second counts and by calling Relay Texas First, time is lost attempting to determine the caller's local emergency numbers.
Relay Texas service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no restrictions on the number of calls placed or the length of the calls. Relay Texas users can communicate to anywhere in the United States. There is no charge for Relay calls made within your local calling scope.
To learn more about Relay Texas, contact the Relay Texas office at 1-800-676-3777 or the Public Utility Commission of Texas at (512)936-7147 (TTY).
1-800-RELAY TX
1-800-735-2989 (TTY)
1-800-RELAY VV
1-800-735-2988 (VOICE)
1-800-RELAY XI
1-800-735-2991 (ASCII)
