News & Updates
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AzTEDP
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Relay Services
Helpful Free Apps Make Life Easier
Apps, Smartphones, Captioned Phones, etc!
Apps on Smartphones:
Most people now own smartphones. Smartphones increase access to our world and handle virtually everything that is involved in our lives. Wikipedia defines a smartphone as: “A mobile phone with an advanced mobile operating system. Smartphones typically combine the features of a cell phone with those of other popular mobile devices, such as personal digital assistant, media player and GPS navigation unit. Most smartphones have a touchscreen user interface and can run third-party apps, and are camera phones. 2012 and later smartphones add high speed mobile broadband 4G LTE internet web browsing, motion sensors and mobile payment mechanisms.”
A smartphone has a touch screen, but a “regular” phone does not. Smartphones come in two varieties, either an Apple product, as in the iPhone, OR an Android, which is everything else.
Wikipedia's definition of a mobile app is: “A mobile app is a computer program designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices.”
There are A LOT of apps available smartphone and tablet users. AzTEDP has experience with the iPhone and iPad products and have found many helpful apps. Many of these apps, or similar apps, can also be found for the Android market at the Google Play Store.
Deaf Communication Apps:
These apps are designed for Deaf or Hard of Hearing American Sign Language users to place and receive Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Phone (VP) calls over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
ZVRS:
IPCTS (Federally funded by the FCC) Telephone Apps:
IPCTS (Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service) telephone apps are designed for severely to profoundly Hard of Hearing/deaf/Deaf users who speak for themselves. These apps are used to place telephone relay service calls over a WiFi or cellular data connection. Note: If the Smartphone has cellular service, just the smartphone is needed to serve for both voice and reading captions. Tablets may also be used for this purpose and service requirements vary. The cost for using these apps is funded by the FCC.
Hamilton CapTel and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
OTHER APPS:
"Smart" and convenient captioning to communicate face-to-face with severely HOH or Deaf person:
Speech-to-Text: Use a Smartphone or tablet when a Hard of Hearing/deaf/Deaf person can’t hear when communicating face to face with another person. It can be used in casual conversations, restaurants, or anywhere face-to-face conversation is not successful due to an inability to hear. Just open any blank smartphone or tablet and look for the microphone icon on the keyboard. Tap and speak clearly. Watch the voice to text (Automatic Speech Recognition) "ASR" magic appear! Please note that ASR is not 100% accurate, but better than slow pencil and paper.
Speech-Impaired Apps:
Sprint Internet Protocol Relay (SprintIP)
To make telephone calls on your smart device, check out www.sprintip.com or see a video HERE.
Miscellaneous APPS:
EarMachine (personal sound amplifier)
White Noise (for Tinnitis)
This is by no means a comprehensive list of what is available, so get on your device and see what may be helpful to you or a loved one! Technology is a great thing!
And if you don't have a smartphone, but still have a regular phone at home, don't worry, you can use the internet and your regular home phone for captioning phone calls!
Captioned Telephone Via the Internet:
A computer or other device provides the captions for the user to read, but a telephone of any kind is also needed so that the Hard of Hearing /deaf/Deaf user can to speak to the other party.
CapTel Customer Service Open 24/7
CapTel customer support is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week., except on major holidays. This ensures that people who rely on the CapTel captioned telephone service have access to help whenever they need it, day or night. Just call 1-866-269-7477.
(As always, the AZRS CapTel Captioning Service is available 24/7 every day, including holidays.)
As a reminder, CapTel 800 and 840 users have one-touch access to customer support. They simply press the blue CUST SERV button on their CapTel phone to be immediately connected to a helpful Customer Service Representative. Other ways to reach CapTel customer support:
Phone: 1-888-269-7477 (V/TTY/CapTel)
Online Chat: www.CapTel.com/customer-service.php
Email: CapTel@CapTel.com
FAX: 1-608-204-6167
En Espanol: 1-866-670-9134
U.S. Mail:
Attn: CapTel Customer Service
450 Science Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Captioned telephone landline only (no internet required) CapTel 840 is available FREE in Arizona! For information on applying to receive a Captioned telephone, go to the Products tab above. CapTel is only appropriate for people with severe to profound hearing loss who can speak for themselves.