Relay Etiquette

Below are some tips that will help make your GoAmerica relay experience more enjoyable.

• Many deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals have "flashers" on their phones to alert them of an incoming call. Since flashers can take longer to notice than ringing, it is customary to wait for at least seven (7) rings before hanging up.
  
  
• It is polite to identify yourself at the beginning of the call, and to identify any other parties present on the call or who join the call at any time.
  
  
• Speak directly to the text (PC or TTY) user. Relay operators are not permitted to engage in conversations unless it is for specific call processing reasons (i.e. requesting a number to dial, providing status on a call, etc.)
  
  
• If the call is going to be put on hold or transferred, please notify the text user prior to completing such an action.
  
  
• It is customary to be familiar with and/or use standard abbreviations such as GA (Go Ahead) and SK (Stop Keying). You must always type GA when you are finished typing in order for the relay operator to begin. The following chart indicates some of the more commonly used text abbreviations: