Many AAC users have a positive experience calling strangers using an AAC device when they call through Speech-to-Speech.
A. I dial 711 and ask for Speech-to-Speech with my device. An operator (called a Communications Assistant or CA) answers, and I have my device say “Speech-to-Speech” about four times. I am then connected to a different CA trained to help AAC users and other people with speech disabilities make successful telephone calls.
B. I ask the CA (using preprogrammed messages) to set up the call and negotiate any menus, introduce the call explaining AAC and then fade into the background.
C. I then tell the CA to only speak to: A) stop my caller from interrupting me or B) restate something that I said with my device that my caller didn’t understand. This enables me to communicate independently once the other party is on the line.
For me, there is another advantage of using STS in conjunction with AAC (rather than calling a stranger with just my device) in addition to A and B above. That is, that the CA assures my caller from the beginning that this is not a prank call. Thus, few callers hang up on me.
I invite AAC users to pass on to me their lists of behaviors by STS CAs that would make their STS calls smoother and more productive. I will pass the information on to all STS providers worldwide.
- Bob Segalman, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon)
A free national telephone relay service for people with speech disabilities.
Call 711 and request Speech-to-Speech