Baltimore – Maryland Relay, the free public service that allows people who are unable to use a standard telephone to both make and receive calls, now offers Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech (STS) Relay service. Designed for people who hear clearly but have mild to moderate difficulty speaking over the telephone, Visually Assisted STS utilizes live video to give users the opportunity to use both their voice and their gestures to communicate during telephone conversations.

When a call is placed using Visually Assisted STS, a computer with a webcam and SkypeTM* software is used to establish a live video connection between the caller and a specially-trained Maryland Relay Operator. The Operator is then able to see the caller’s mouth movements, facial expressions and other gestures as he or she is speaking, and uses these visual cues to better understand the caller’s side of the conversation, and re-voices it, as needed, to the other person.

“For a person who has difficulty speaking, it is often easier to be understood when you can be seen, because your gestures play a role in expressing your intended meaning,” said Brenda Kelly-Frey, Director, Telecommunication Access of Maryland. “With Visually Assisted STS, Maryland residents with speech difficulties have the option of using video when placing a call through Maryland Relay, and can feel more confident that the Operator is understanding their true meaning and relaying their conversation accurately.”

To use Visually Assisted STS, individuals will need:

  • a telephone with active service
  • a computer and webcam
  • high-speed Internet connection (512 kbps is recommended)
  • a Skype user account (visit Skype.com and follow directions to download and register)

To make a Visually Assisted STS call, users may follow these steps:

  • Dial 1-855-828-6465, or
  • Dial 7-1-1, and request “Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech” or “Visually Assisted STS” to connect with a Maryland Relay Operator (OPR).
  • Using Skype, the OPR will establish a video connection with you.
  • Give the OPR the number you want to dial, and any specific call handling instructions
  • The OPR will dial the requested number and rely on your speech and visual cues to facilitate your conversation.

Anyone who would like to learn more about Speech-to-Speech (STS) or Visually Assisted STS may call the Maryland Relay Speech-to-Speech User Training Line at 866-269-9006 (English) or 866-744-7471 (Spanish). Offered through Maryland Relay, this free service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to Marylanders who have difficulty speaking and those who want to use STS to contact a Maryland resident. User Training Line representatives will answer any questions about STS or Visually Assisted STS including proper etiquette and procedure; document call handling preferences; and give users the opportunity to place practice calls.