HCO
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AzTEDP
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Relay Services
With HCO, you can listen directly to the person you are calling. Using a TTY (text telephone), you type your responses to the Communication Assistant (CA) who will speak for you. You enjoy the freedom of using your own ears—while borrowing our voice.
HCO is especially helpful for people with impaired speech, cerebral palsy or other speech disorder.
When making a Hearing Carry Over (HCO) call, dial 1-800-367-8939
An AZRS communication assistant (CA) will answer like this:
AZRS CA 4999 (F) NMBR CALLING PLS GA
Using your TTY, type the number you want to call, also giving them the extension if necessary:
Pls call 602-555-1234 GA
Pls call 602-555-1234 x345 GA
The communication assistant will then dial the number, informing you of the call process as they connect your call:
DIALING 602-444-1234 RINGING 1... RINGING 2... RINGING 3...
When the call is answered, the communication assistant will begin relaying your call.
You will hear the communication assistant explain AZRS and HCO to the other person if they are unfamiliar with both.
The CA will then relay the call between yourself and your party; you will hear the standard phone user's spoken words and you will type your conversation. The CA will voice your typed response to the standard phone user. Remember to end each exchange with
"Go Ahead."
This is a turn-taking cue that informs both the communication assistant and your party when to respond.
This enhanced relay feature gives you more control—and allows you to have an interactive conversation without the use of "GA" (Go Ahead) and "SK" (Stop Keying) instructions.
Unlike typical relay calls, the Communication Assistant (CA) does not identify the relay and is present only to voice the typing of the HCO user.
How to make a 2-Line HCO Call
Using your TTY, dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-367-8939.
When the CA answers the call, inform the CA that this will be a 2-Line HCO call.
You may do so by typing "CA I AM MAKING A 2 LINE HCO CALL. PLS CALL ME BACK ON MY VOICE LINE XXX.XXX.XXXX".
The CA will dial your voice number. On your screen you will see: "Dialing XXX-XXX-XXXX, Ring 1, 2…".
Answer your voice line by typing:
" HELLO CA I AM GOING TO MAKE A 2 LINE HCO CALL. I (WANT/DO NOT WANT) YOU TO IDENTIFY AND/OR EXPLAIN RELAY. I AM GOING TO PUT YOU ON HOLD AND CONFERENCE IN ANOTHER PERSON. I CAN HEAR YOU AND THE OTHER PERSON. I WANT YOU TO VOICE WHAT I TYPE, WHILE I TYPE IT. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
When the CA has confirmed, type:
"WHEN THEY ANSWER THE PHONE PLEASE VOICE (type your greeting before dialing your call).
On your voice phone, place the CA on hold (as required to make a 3-way/conference call).
When you hear dial tone, dial the number of the person you want to call.
Once you have finished dialing, IMMEDIATELY press the button to conference/join the call. This will allow the CA to hear the person answer and immediately voice your greeting.
Connect the conference immediately on your voice phone. Note that terms such as "hold", "switch hook," "flash", "conference" and "link" may vary according to your telephone company’s features and procedures.
When the called party answers, the CA will start speaking your typed words to that person.
You will be able to hear what the other party says and you will respond by typing. There is no need for either of you to wait for a "Go Ahead" or "GA".