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Washington Relay ServicesTelecommunications Relay Services (TRS) was established to provide telephone relay services to deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech disabled residents of Washington State in accordance with title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The recommendations of the 1991 Washington State TTY Task Force resulted in substitute Senate Bill 6377 to establish the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) under ODHH. ODHH is the state TRS administrator, certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Presently, through a competitive procurement process, Sprint Relay is the TRS provider for Washington State. Sprint Relay offers both Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) and Captioned Telephone Service (CTS) to Washington State residents. More information about Washington TRS services, better known as “Washington Relay,” can be accessed through the following web link: www.washingtonrelay.com. Internet Protocol Relay Fraud Washington Relay offers information how businesses can protect themselves from fraudulent activities by scammers who take advantage of internet protocol (IP) relay services. For more information about IP Relay Fraud, click on the following link: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/hrsa/odhh/ann/IP Relay Fraud.pdf Washington Relay Annual Report The Washington Telecommunication Relay Services (WATRS) FY09 annual report is now available. The report includes information on TRS and CapTel services and outreach activities. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) –Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the telecommunication relay services. The FCC oversees Title IV. States and telecommunication providers are responsible to provide telecommunication relay services. The intent is to ensure that people with hearing loss and speech disabilities achieve functionally equivalent access to telecommunication services. The FCC establishes rules and makes decisions that impact the people with hearing loss and speech disabilities, states, telecommunication providers and relay providers. The FCC is required to gather public comments before making these rules and decisions. The FCC regulates Telecommunication Relay Services (including CapTel Relay), Internet-based relay services and video relay services. At this time, states are responsible for the provision of telecommunication relay services only. For more information: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/ National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) - All telecommunication providers are required to contribute using a “carrier contribution factor” every year. It is less than one percentage (>1%) of its’ revenue deposited into a Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) Interstate fund managed by NECA on behalf of the FCC. This contribution fulfills the telecommunication providers’ obligation to provide relay services as a way to simplify the implementation complexity of the Americans with Disabilities Act; Title IV. The NECA TRS Interstate fund reimburses all relay providers (TRS, IP and VRS). NECA reimburses TRS relay providers and pays for 51% of interstate calls (Washington-to-another state) on a price-per-minute (PPM) basis. The state of Washington ODHH pays for 49% of interstate calls and 100% of intrastate calls (calls within Washington). For more information: https://www.neca.org/cms400min/NECA_Templates/TRS_Landing_Page.aspx Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission http://www.wutc.wa.gov/ Relay Service Providers List This is the most current listing of approved Video Relay Services providers certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or maintains eligibility as part of a state TRS program:
Internet-based relay services are paid for by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA). √- Services offered by the TRS provider Spanish Relay Services
√- Services offered by the TRS provider
Modification Date: January 19, 2011
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