The TTY (teletypewriter) and TDD (telecommunication device for the Deaf) are now nearly forgotten steps in the history of long distance communication. Audio signals for each character were transmitted through phone lines and presented as text on the receiving end. We see it as a simple idea now, but it was revolutionary, and the work of a man’s life.
Robert Weitbrecht, a Deaf scientist, nurtured his love for radio communications and technology and his passion for visual accessibility. He made several breakthroughs in technology and bureaucracy, even from his mid-teens. As the inventor of teletype technology and the original modem, his work opened doors wide for both the Deaf and hearing communities. The story of this man and his partnerships with other Deaf professionals is well worth the read on several websites.
Telephones provided communication between hearing people, and TTYs between Deaf people. The circle was finally complete when volunteers began serving as relay operators, using TTY and standard phone equipment to pass messages between Deaf and hearing users. California established the state Telecommunications Relay Program in 1987. Other states followed suit, and with Title IV of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, relay services were required nationwide. Now, anyone can contact their physicians, make their own appointments, or even order custom pizzas.
TTY Relay Services, or TRS, are still in use, available by dialing 711. The 711 access does not apply to Video Relay or Internet Protocol Relay or IP Captioned Phone Services, since they are internet-based.