Through the Wisconsin Relay System you can obtain telephone equipment that is specialized to make telecommunications accessible to nonstandard phone users. Here’s everything you need to know about Wisconsin Relay and how to make using a phone easier.
What is the Wisconsin Relay?
Wisconsin Relay is a free, completely confidential 24-hour public service that makes the use of the telephone possible and a better experience for thousands of citizens and visitors of the state who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled.
How does Wisconsin Relay work?
The person dials the toll-free Wisconsin Relay number and gives the communications assistant (often abbreviated as the CA) the area code and number of the person receiving the call. An example of the Wisconsin Relay service is a highly trained CA who voices the typed comments by the TTY (text telephone) user and types the spoken comments by the other person back to the TTY user. Wisconsin Relay provides several options to meet the needs of people who do not use the standard telephone.
How do I to connect to Wisconsin Relay?
- Dial: 7-1-1*
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TTY: 1-800-947-3529
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Voice: 1-800-947-6644
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Voice Carry-Over (VCO): 1-877-490-3724 (English) | 1-800-833-7813 (Spanish)
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Hearing Carry-Over (HCO): 1-800-947-3529 (English) | 1-800-833-7813 (Spanish)
Telebraille Relay Service: 1-800-947-3529 (English) | 1-800-833-7813 (Spanish)
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Speech-to-Speech (STS): 1-800-833-7637 (English or Spanish)
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Spanish-to-Spanish: 1-800-833-7813
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Spanish-to-English: 1-877-490-3723
*Some buildings with a PBX telephone system (often in hotels and offices that have extension numbers) make reaching 7-1-1 impossible. The 800 numbers can be dialed when not able to get through to 7-1-1.
Voice Carry-Over (VCO) Service
Voice Carry-Over (VCO) is the perfect solution if you like to talk and read captions during your phone calls. When the other party speaks to you, the relay operator serves as your “ears” and types all the words that are spoken and background sounds, if any, on your VCO phone or text telephone/teletypewriter (TTY). Then you speak directly back to the other party.
This service is designed for the people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
This relay service is available in English-to-English, Spanish-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English.
How do I apply for specialized telephone equipment?
The Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) provides qualified applicants (proof of a disability that makes using a standard telephone difficult or impossible) with vouchers to purchase assistive telephone equipment. A person can apply for a voucher by visiting
www.tepp.wipfli.com or calling 1-800-251-8345 (TTY in state only) or 1-608-231-3305 (Voice).
Learn More About Wisconsin Relay
TTY Relay & Stand Phone User Customer Service
English TTY: 800-283-9877
English Voice: 800-395-9877
Spanish: 800-676-4290
VCO Customer Service
English: 844-525-4877
Spanish: 800-676-4290
TeleBraille Relay Customer Service
English TTY: 800-283-9877
English Voice: 800-395-9877
Spanish: 800-676-4290
Services Supported By Surcharge
A few cents per telephone bill surcharge makes Wisconsin Relay services possible for the citizens of Wisconsin.
7-1-1 Is Not An Emergency Number
Some people might assume it is okay to call 7-1-1 for emergencies. The 7-1-1 Wisconsin Relay number is for relay service calls only. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that 911 centers be prepared to handle emergency calls from people who use the text telephone. Wisconsin Relay will make every effort to assist a person during an emergency, but cannot serve in the same function as 911 centers. Wisconsin Relay does not assume responsibility for handling emergency calls.