711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted use of the 711 dialing code for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities.
Don’t Hang Up!
Some people hang up on TRS calls because they think the CA is a telemarketer. If you hear, "Hello. This is the relay service…” when you pick up the phone, please don’t hang up! You are about to talk, through a TRS provider, to a person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability.
911 and 711
Dialing 911 is the most familiar and effective way Americans have to find help in an emergency. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to provide direct, equal access to their emergency response services for people with disabilities who use TTYs or other devices. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, TTY users should call 911 directly, and not make a TRS call via 711.