AURORA, NEB – MAY 24, 2016 – Through a competitive procurement process, the Commonwealth of Kentucky selected Hamilton Relay as the new Telecommunications Relay and Captioned Telephone Service provider for Kentucky Relay. Hamilton Relay, a leading provider of Telecommunications Relay and Captioned Telephone Service, began providing service in Kentucky on May 16, 2016.
Kentucky Relay, a program of the Commonwealth and administered by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, provides 24-hour service that enables individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking to communicate with friends, family members and businesses over the phone.
When a telecommunications relay call is placed through Kentucky Relay, a Communication Assistant (CA) confidentially relays the conversation by voicing or typing what’s said between the relay user and the standard phone user. When using Captioned Telephone (CapTel®), a screen on the phone displays word-for-word captions generated by the CA through the use of voice recognition software, allowing users to listen while reading what’s being said throughout the conversation.
Anyone can initiate a call through Kentucky Relay simply by dialing 711 or the existing toll-free access number for specific relay services. There is no cost to use Kentucky Relay, although equipment and long distance charges may apply. The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (KDCHH) Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) offers telecommunications equipment available at no charge for qualified individuals.
“The opportunity to serve residents of Kentucky is one that we take on with great enthusiasm,” said Dixie Ziegler, vice president of Hamilton Relay. “Hamilton is committed to bringing the life-changing benefits that relay services provide to individuals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In addition, we look forward to sharing our outreach programs designed to inform Kentucky communities of the variety of services available to accommodate their needs.”
“Providing relay and captioned telephone outreach and education has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and share invaluable information with the community,” said Quinnon Taylor, Regional Outreach Coordinator. “I look forward to expanding my outreach efforts into Kentucky.”
For more information, visit www.KentuckyRelay.com or contact Kentucky Relay Customer Care by calling 1-888-662-2406 (Voice/TTY) or emailing kyrelay@hamiltonrelay.com.
About Hamilton Relay
Hamilton Relay provides contracted Telecommunications Relay and Captioned Telephone services through 26 contracts to 19 states, the District of Columbia and the Island of Saipan, and is a provider of Internet-based Captioned Telephone services nationwide. More information is available at hamiltonrelay.com.
Hamilton Relay, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016, is a division of Hamilton Telecommunications, a diversified communications and technology service provider based in Aurora, Neb. Founded in 1901, Hamilton Telecommunications encompasses seven primary company divisions that allow Hamilton to operate on a local, regional and national basis.