Accessibility Services

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Voice Carry Over and Hearing Carry Over

Voice Carry Over

If you can speak clearly, but must use a TTY to see what the other person is saying, you may request Voice Carry Over, also called VCO. VCO allows you to speak for yourself, while the Relay Agent will type what the person says to you.

Placing a call on your VCO telephone

• Dial 711 and watch the ringing indicator light.
• When the Relay Service answers, you will see "EASTLINK RELAY SERVICES, THIS IS [agent's name & number] followed by GA for 'Go Ahead'
• Press your phrase key for 'VCO ON PLEASE GA'.
• The Relay agent will type back to you "VCO IS ON GA". Now they are ready to hear you speak.
• Tell the Relay agent the name and number of the person you are calling and then say GO AHEAD.'
• After the Relay agent hears your 'Go Ahead', he or she will type back to you 'THANK YOU PLEASE HOLD'.
• The VCO remains off until the Relay agent connects you to the person you are calling.
• The Relay agent will update you on the status of the call (ringing, busy, and who has answered) by typing to you.
• When the Relay agent has the person you have called on the line, he or she will type "(name) IS ON THE LINE, VCO IS ON GA".
• When you see the GA, it is your turn to speak. Remember to say 'GO AHEAD' when you are done.

Receiving a call on your VCO telephone

• The Relay Service will be identified as 'EASTLINK RELAY SERVICES' on your call display.
• Answer the call and immediately send out your phrase 'VCO ON PLEASE GA'.
• This will alert the Relay agent that you are ready to speak. He or she will type "THIS IS THE EASTLINK RELAY SERVICE. I HAVE A CALL FOR (name if he or she has been given a name). VCO IS ON GA."
• Respond to the Relay agent by speaking and say 'GO AHEAD' when you are through.
• The Relay agent will type what the caller is saying and you will see 'GA' when it is your turn to speak.

Hearing Carry Over

If you can hear, but must use a TTY to type what you need to say, you may request Hearing Carry Over, also called HCO. HCO allows you to hear what the other party is saying while the Relay agent speaks for you by reading what you type to the other person.

Placing a HCO call

• Dial 711 and ensure that the handset of the telephone is inserted into the TTY handset receptacle.
• When the Relay agent answers, EASTLINK RELAY SERVICES will appear, along with the agent's name & agent number, followed by GA (for Go Ahead). Please note that you will be communicating via only text until the agent gets the person you are calling on the line.
• Type HCO ON PLEASE followed by GA. The Relay agent will update you on the status of the call (ringing, busy, and who has answered) by typing to you.
• When the agent has the person you have called on the line, the agent will type (name) IS ON THE LINE, HCO IS ON GA.
• When you see the GA you can begin typing. The agent will read your text to the person you have called. Remember to type GA (for Go Ahead) when you are done.
• Lift the telephone handset off the TTY and listen to the other person's spoken response. When they say GO AHEAD, place the handset back down on the TTY and type your response.
• Type GA to SK (stop keying) when you are ready to end the call.

Receiving a HCO call

• Answer the call (identified as EASTLINK RELAY SERVICES on your call display).
• Immediately place the handset on your TTY, type your greeting and HCO ON PLEASE, followed by GA.
• The Relay agent will type who they have on the line to speak with you and also type HCO ON GA.
  Note: You will be communicating only via text until the Relay agent initiates HCO.
• Type your response, followed by GA. Lift the handset off the TTY and listen to what is said. When you hear the caller say "Go Ahead", place the handset back on the TTY and type your response.
• Type GA to SK (stop keying) when you are ready to end the call.