7-1-1 facts for kids

7-1-1 is a special telephone number used in Canada and the United States. It helps people who are deaf or have trouble hearing talk on the phone with people who can hear easily. This service is called the Telecommunications Relay Service.

When you dial 7-1-1, you connect with a trained telephone operator. This operator acts as a go-between. They help turn spoken words into text that can be read on a special device called a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). They also turn text typed on a TDD into spoken words for the person who is hearing. This makes it possible for everyone to communicate clearly over the phone.

How Does 7-1-1 Help People Talk?

The 7-1-1 service makes phone calls possible for people with different hearing abilities. It's like having a helpful assistant on the line.

Connecting with a Relay Operator

When someone who is deaf or hard of hearing calls 7-1-1, they use a TDD or a similar device. They type their message, and the relay operator reads it aloud to the person they are calling. When the other person speaks, the operator types what they say back to the caller's TDD.

Making Communication Easy

This service helps people stay connected with friends, family, and businesses. It ensures that everyone has equal access to phone communication, no matter their hearing ability. It's a great example of how technology and services can make the world more accessible for everyone.

Images for kids

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  A typical relay service conversation