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In recognition of International Week of Deaf People Sept. 21-27, the Michigan Public Service Commission is underscoring the importance of the Michigan Telecommunications Relay Service. This service ensures deaf, hard of hearing, and speech‑impaired individuals to communicate by telephone
The State of Michigan honors September as Deaf Awareness Month, acknowledging the importance of ensuring that Michigan’s deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing and speech impaired individuals have equal access to the many benefits and opportunities available to hearing individuals to live, work, play, and communicate in Michigan.
At least 7.4% of Michiganders identify as deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing, and it’s important to increase public awareness of the issues and the culture of people who are deaf, as well as to promote equal access to information and services for deaf individuals.
Michigan’s Telecommunications Relay Service is a vital tool in providing equal access. Individuals not familiar with the service may not know what to do if they receive a call through Michigan Relay. If you answer a call and someone says, “A person who may be deaf or hard of hearing is calling you through Michigan Relay,” don’t hang up!
Through Michigan Relay, people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking can communicate using a TTY (teletypewriter), TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) or other technology to connect with friends and family, conduct business, make or cancel appointments or other activities.
To learn more about how it works, you can read the MPSC’s consumer tip on the Michigan Relay. There are no extra charges for users of the Michigan Relay. Only normal telephone charges apply. There also are no limits on the number or length of calls for relay users.
For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the Commission on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
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