Rhode Island Relay

What is Rhode Island Relay?

Rhode Island Relay Service is a statewide service that connects standard (voice) telephone users with deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, speech-disabled, or late-deafened people who use text telephones (TTYs) or voice carry-over (VCO) phones.

This service allows TTY or VCO users to communicate with standard telephone users through specially trained relay operators. Calls can be made to anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with no restrictions on the number, length, or type of calls.

All calls are strictly confidential and no records of any conversations are maintained. Anyone wishing to use Rhode Island Relay simply dials the relay number to connect with a relay operator. The relay operator will dial the requested number and relay the conversation between the two callers.

How does relay work?

Follow these simple steps:

Dial 711 (or the Rhode Island Relay toll-free number appropriate for you specific call.)
A specially trained Rhode Island relay operator will answer and identify themselves by their operator number.
Give the operator the phone number of the person you are calling.
The operator will connect you with the person you are calling and assist you with communication.

It really is that easy!

Specialized Services

Rhode Island Relay offers specialized services for individuals who have difficulty speaking, like Video Assisted Speech to Speech, Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) for conference calls and for Spanish speaking residents which includes Spanish to English translation. Specially trained CAs are on hand to assist in these types of calls by dialing the dedicated numbers of the bottom of this page. Since Rhode Island Relay offers a variety of services please refer to the website www.rhodeislandrelay.com or call Rhode Island Relay Customer Service for more details

Captioned Telephone

Captioned Telephone is ideal for individuals with hearing loss who are able to speak for themselves. A captioned telephone works like any other telephone with an essential difference: it allows you to listen as well as read every word the other party says throughout the conversation on the screen of the CapTel phone. To call a Captioned Telephone user, dial: 7-1-1 or 1-877-243-2823.

Internet Relay

Internet Relay is also available for those on the go. You can connect with a CA via your computer, tablet or wireless device. To access this service, visit www.sprintip.com *registration is required.

Access to Services

If you are experiencing trouble dialing 7-1-1 to reach Rhode Island Relay, please call Rhode Island Relay Customer Service at 866-703-5485. All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers may place relay calls to English and Spanish speaking persons within Rhode Island, across the United States and even internationally. By law, each conversation is handled with strict confidentiality. There is no charge to access Rhode Island Relay, although standard long distance charges apply.

How do I apply for specialized equipment?

The Rhode Island Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL) provides telephone equipment to qualified individuals who have hearing and/or speech difficulties, or who suffer from neuromuscular damage or disease. Individuals can apply online for this type of assistance. The application form can be found at www.atel.ri.gov. For more information on ATEL, contact: Adaptive Telephone Loan Equipment Program (ATEL) c/o Office of Rehabilitation Services, 40 Fountain Street, Providence, Rl, 02903. You may also call: 401-222-1679 (TTY) or 401-462-7857 (voice)

Emergency Calls

Please note that 7-1-1 is only to be used to reach Rhode Island Relay.

In an EMERGENCY you should continue to use 9-1-1.

For emergencies, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency service TTY number directly. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all 911 centers have a TTY and are prepared to handle emergency calls placed in this manner. Rhode Island Relay will make every effort to assist you in an emergency. However, it is important to understand that relay centers are not 911 centers and do not assume responsibility for emergency calls.

To place a call using Rhode Island Relay, dial 7-1-1 or dial one of the toll free numbers below:

TTY: 1-800-745-5555
Voice: 1-800-745-6575
ASCII: 1-800-745-1570
Spanish: 1-877-955-8773
Speech-to-Speech: 1-866-355-9213

Customer Service:

V/TTY: 1-866-703-5485

P.O. Box 29230 - KSOPHR0312-3A
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-9330

866-703-5485 (Voice/TTY)
800-676-4290 (Spanish)
877-787-1989 (Speech-disabled)
866-931-9027 (Voice Carry-Over)
888-269-7477 (CapTel)
877-877-3291 (fax)

Sprint.TRSCustServ@sprint.com
www.rhodeislandrelay.com

Captioned Telephone Customer Service:

1-888-269-7477

To call a Captioned Telephone user, dial: 7-1-1 or 1-877-243-2823

There is no additional charge to access Rhode Island Relay.