Actually, I just had this discussion with a staff person at Chicago's Access
Living, an advocacy organization for people with a disabilities -- the
upshot seemed to be that the TTY/TTD is still preferred but in the absence
thereof, relay operators eventually get the job done. TTDs (the preferred
term) allow an individual privacy during a conversation not afforded by the
relay system.

They are certainly not that expensive.  I recently purchased one for Lincoln
Park Zoo in Chicago where the toughest part of the sell was to figure out
where to put it so there was easy access by visitors and staff (hence the
TTDs new home in the Education Dept).

If you need a vendor name or wish to talk about  specifics, please call me
at (312) 742-2070.

Kind regards,
Terrie Nolinske, Ph.D.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Max van Balgooy" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001 1:10 PM
Subject: Accommodating hearing impaired visitors--alternatives to TTD/TTY?


> We're upgrading phone systems at our sites and I was wondering if the
> TTD/TTY terminals are still a common mode of communicating with
> hearing-impaired visitors, or if "relay operators" are becoming more
common,
> or if there are more convenient/more reliable systems available?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Max A. van Balgooy,
> Director of Interpretation and Education
> National Trust for Historic Preservation
>
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