Sprint Relay sponsors Deaf Expo West

From: Sprint - Nov 1, 2004

INFORMATION RELEASE

SPRINT RELAY sponsors Deaf Expo West in
Anaheim, California on November 5-6, 2004

Sprint is proud to be the major sponsor of Deaf Expo West on November 5-6, 2004.  This annual expo provides an opportunity for the deaf and hard of hearing communities to meet and visit with old and new friends.  It also allows people to see and try new products and services available.  Sprint will be providing information and demonstrations on California Relay, Federal Relay, Sprint Relay Online, Sprint Relay Wireless and many other product innovations.

A little more than two years ago, Sprint and CSD launched the first national video relay service (VRS) thus providing an effective communications alternative so individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability could use American Sign Language to communicate versus typing into a computer or TTY device.  While the service has evolved over the last two years, recently Sprint announced additional features to make the service even easier to use including a new website design and enhanced NetMeeting capabilities.  Sprint and CSD worked together to develop a more user-friendly interface that will provide VRS users additional options while placing a VRS call.

Sprint Relay Wireless, powered by GoAmerica®, is now available on the Sidekick and HipTop. Previously, Sprint Relay Wireless was accessible through the RIM 850, 857 and 950 devices running WyndTell® service, and it will be available on a variety of RIM Blackberry devices by mid-November 2004. 

Sidekick and HipTop users access Sprint Relay by clicking on the bright TTY icon directly from the chooser screen. With an interface especially designed for the Sidekick and HipTop platform, Sprint Relay Wireless is easy to learn and use. >From the application screen, users can select and dial any phone number in the address book, or enter a new number. Click the "Start Call," and the relay connection is automatically made. Recently dialed numbers are stored for future use.  From the relay screen, the operator and user are differentiated by upper and lowercase text used in the conversation, and users can easily change the font size for easier reading. Users can also cut and paste copies of relay conversations into email or to save for future reference.

Users can download and install the service for free by accessing it using the device's "Catalog" download feature.  In the catalog, users simply select Sprint Relay Wireless from the Applications list, and select "Purchase" to download and install the service.  The service currently is free to download and use.

Sprint also provides the Federal Relay service that includes:  Traditional, Video, Internet and CapTel relay services.   Currently, Sprint is working with the General Service Administration (GSA) to provide up to fifty (50) free CapTelSM phones every month for federal government employees (Civilian and Military) and postal workers who are active or retired, veterans and federally recognized tribal members in fifty states, U.S. Territorial, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Northern Marianas and District of Columbia..  CapTel offered by the Federal Relay, fully FCC compliant, is an assistive technology aimed at easing communications for the more than 24 million Americans who are hard of hearing, have experienced hearing loss later in life or deaf individuals with good vocalization skills. 

With 14 years of relay experience, Sprint is providing services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or who have a speech disability to communicate with hearing persons on the phone.  Sprint offers FCC-compliant relay services to the federal government, 31 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and New Zealand.  Sprint's expertise in the field provides the assurance that all Sprint Relay services (TTY, internet, wireless, video, CapTel and Conference Captioning) will meet or exceed Federal Communications Commission requirements for telecommunications relay services (TRS).  For more information, visit www.sprintrelay.com. 

Sprint Government Systems Division (www.sprint.com/government) is based in Herndon, Va., and offers the full range of Sprint product and service offerings for federal and state government customers.

Stephanie Taliaferro
Sprint Media Relations
(913) 794-3658 phone
stephanie.c.taliaferro@mail.sprint.com