Traditional Phone - Special Assistance for Deaf and Disabled Customers

SureWest provides options for our hearing impaired and disabled customers. Text Telephones (TTY) and TTY & Voice phones and services are available.

“TTY only” means that a telephone is answered only by a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and communications can only be made with another TTY.

“TTY & Voice” means that both users and non-TTY users can communicate over the line.

For these customers, SureWest offers equipment service or repair, operator assistance or, in some cases, special assistance or subsidies for service, California relay service and directory listings for TTY users.

TTY Service Information

TTY Service or Repair
TTY or Voice: 916.786.6262

Operator Assistance
TTY only: 1.800.855.1155 or 711

Exemptions From Operator Charges
When you identify yourself as being disabled and unable to dial the call, the Operator will place the call and only bill the direct-dialed rate. This applies to calls within your Service area and applies only to your home telephone service.

Special Assistance
Certain telecommunications products and services can be provided at no charge to customers with medically certified disabilities involving cognitive speech, hearing, motion and vision. Basic monthly rate for telephone service and charges for regular long distance calls still apply.

With certain restrictions, this service is available to residents and some businesses.

A Service Representative form the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) can assist you by recommending available products and services, or they might suggest a visit from a trained field representative to better assess your needs.

For more information, call the California Telephone Access Program:

Speech to Speech
This service provides specially trained operators for people who have difficulty being understood by the public on the telephone. The operators, who have acute hearing and are familiar with many speech patterns, stay on the line with the caller and repeat everything the caller says back to the person being called.

To use the Speech to Speech service:
Call Toll Free: 1.800.854.7784 or 771

Services for TTY Customers

California Relay Service (CRS)
This service relays calls between a person using a TTY and any other telephone user. The service also allows a person without a TTY to call a TTY user. Specially trained personnel are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week, to relay the call. There is no extra charge for this service.

California Relay Service users may place interstate calls to destinations outside of California. Callers outside of California may also place calls to destinations inside California through CRS.

The rates for all long distance calls placed through CRS will be discounted. The rate discounts apply to long distance calls initiated by Text Telephones and to calls initiated by voice. There will continue to be no charge for local calls placed through CRS.

To use California Relay Service:
Call Toll Free:

For more information on the California Relay Service, call the:
Customer Relay Service Center:
TTY & Voice 1.800.676-3777

Directory Listings for TTY Users
Customers with a TTY may include this information as part of their directory listing at no additional charge.

Examples:
MILLER, DAVE R
TTY Only 555.7722

Or

MILLER, DAVE R
TTY & Voice 555.7722