Victim Support Scotland - RNID Typetalk information

RNID Typetalk
Typetalk is one of the methods hearing or speech impaired people can use to contact Victim Support.

This service does not require registration and can be used as and when required. The information below explains how to access it and how to contact a hearing or speech impaired person. Should you have any questions call BT, who will be able to explain exactly how it works.

RNID Typetalk, is the only national telephone relay service that enables deaf, deaf blind, deafened, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people to communicate with hearing people anywhere in the world. Visit their web site for more information.

It is run by the RNID and funded by BT. It enables textphone owners to contact services and businesses and vice-versa.

How does RNID Typetalk work?
RNID Typetalk provides a link between the text phone user and the hearing person. The link is a highly trained RNID Typetalk Operator who understands the needs of deaf and speech-impaired people and provides a discreet and confidential service.

Users dial direct using the 18002 prefix before the number of the person they would like to speak to (including the area code) and a RNID Typetalk Operator joins the line to relay the conversation.

The text phone user will then type their part of the conversation. A RNID Typetalk Operator will read exactly what is typed to the hearing person. The hearing person replies and the RNID Typetalk Operator will type exactly what is said so the textphone user can read the response on their textphone display panel.

For further information on Typetalk please call 0800 500 888 (textphone), 0800 7311 888 (voice) or visit the Typetalk website.