For many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people living in the United States, sign language is the language of choice. Here at Providence Hospital and Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center patients who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing who use American Sign Language (ASL) are provided with nationally certified ASL Interpreters to facilitate communication related with patient care. In addition, in-patients are provided with TTY/TDD phones to facilitate contact with family and friends during their stay.

TTY RELAY SERVICE
If you are trying to contact a Deaf or Hard of Hearing out-patient you may use one of the following relay services available in the DC-Metro area. DC, Maryland, and Virginia Relay Services are operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The easiest and quickest way to contact DC, Maryland, or Virginia Relay is by dialing 711.

How does TTY Relay service work?
A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing or with a speech/communication impairment may type his or her conversation using a TTY or use video relay service and sign their conversation to a nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter. The message is then relayed by a skilled Communications Assistant (CA) or an ASL Interpreter, who reads/speaks to the hearing person. Each call is handled in strict confidence.

VIDEO RELAY SERVICE
(VRS) is a free service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that enables anyone to conduct video relay calls with family, friends, or business associates through a certified ASL interpreter via a high-speed Internet connection and a video relay solution (or VRS call option).

How does Video Relay service work?
Video relay calls are placed over a high-speed or broadband Internet connection (i.e. DSL, cable, or T1 line) through an easy-to-use VP-100 videophone appliance connected to a TV, or through a personal computer equipped with a Web camera and videoconferencing. The deaf user sees an ASL interpreter on their TV and signs to the interpreter, who then contacts the hearing user via a standard phone line and relays the conversation between the two parties. Hearing customers can also place video relay calls to any deaf or hard-of-hearing individual by simply dialing the toll free number 1-866-FAST-VRS (1-866-327-8877) with a standard telephone. Have the contact information of the deaf or hard-of-hearing individual (i.e. name, videophone number or IP address) ready. You must remain on hold until the next available interpreter answers the call.