Relay Calls: Using the California Relay Service (CRS)

People who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-disabled	Communications Assistant (CA)	User of standard telephone

 If you have limitations hearing or speaking a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) can relay telephone conversations for all of your calls.
Dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on a standard telephone. Friends, family, and business contacts can dial 711 for Relay calls, too.If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality- and language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS provider. 

CRS provides a variety of modalities: Modal ties are the type of service used based on the communication needs of the call parties.

Federal regulations specify very strict confidentiality requirements for CAs of all Relay services. No part of the conversation that takes place between callers is revealed or recorded in written, verbal, or any other form. CRS CAs do not participate in the conversation and acquire no benefit from information relayed.

Quick Links:

• How to Make a Relay Call: Read a step-by-step guide about how to use the California Relay Service (CRS). A Relay call can be made either from or to a TTY including Voice Carry Over (VCO) and Hearing Carry Over (HCO), computer, webcam, or videophone.
• California Relay Service (CRS): In California, Relay service is provided through Hamilton Relay. The CRS page gives more information and customer service numbers.
• How to Customize Your California Relay Service (CRS) Calls: CRS will answer your call in English as a voice call. When appropriate, the call will be automatically switched to the appropriate modality and language. Find out how to make your calls more efficient. Find out how.
• Speech-to-Speech (STS) Relay Service: The California STS Relay Service enables people who have a speech disability to communicate with other people by telephone. Specially-trained STS Communications Assistants (CAs) re-voice your conversation to the person you are calling. STS users may be using their own voices or Speech Generating Devices. Get the full story.
• Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA STS): The California Relay Service (CRS) is offering a service that can enhance the Relay experience of individuals with a speech disability: Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA STS). 
• Captioned Telephone Service (CapTel®): The CapTel telephone looks and works like an amplified telephone, with one important addition: everything your caller says is displayed in text, word-for-word, while you are listening. Find out how you can receive a CapTel phone.
• California Relay Service (CRS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):  As a consumer, you may have questions about CRS and the services available to you. To learn more about CRS, please review the CRS FAQ.