Press Release

PUC Highlights 7-1-1 Service that Enables Pennsylvanians to Communicate by Phone with People Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech Disabled

Published on 7/11/2008

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today marked 7/11 by encouraging Pennsylvanians to learn more about 7-1-1, the phone number that enables all Pennsylvanians to communicate by phone with people who have hearing or speech loss.  The abbreviated dialing code (7-1-1) is used in place of 1-800-654-5984 for TTY users and 1-800-654-5988 for voice users.

“The Commission has a long history of helping to support programs to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities,” said PUC Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli.  “By dialing 7-1-1 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Pennsylvanians can use PA Relay to call anyone with hearing or speech loss.”

The number 7-1-1 is used to call PA Relay Services.  PA Relay is an AT&T phone service regulated by the PUC that offers three ways for persons who are hearing, deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled to connect using the telephone via:  Traditional Relay, Video Relay and Internet Relay.  Conversations are relayed by trained communications assistants, who follow a strict code of ethics and confidentiality.  More information can be found on the AT&T Relay Service Web site.

The PUC started telecommunications relay service in 1990 as a result of Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and launched a statewide consumer-education campaign in March 2004.  An October 2006 telephone survey found that awareness of 7-1-1 among the hearing public increased to 20 percent in 2006, up from 14 percent in 2005, 12 percent in 2004, and 9 percent in 2003 as a result of the statewide public education campaign.

The Pennsylvania Relay Service Advisory Board, consisting of members from the non-hearing and speech disabled community, as well as the hearing community, continues to advise the PUC on relay issues. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Tom Charles
  Director of Communications
  717-787-9504
  thcharles@pa.gov