TeleTypewriter (TTY) phones

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITDSA-0067

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two Teletype phone communication systems with their corresponding cords and fone flashers contained in a black case. The items were donated by NTID Student Life Team. TTY stands for Text Telephone / Teletype Terminal / TeleTypewriter. It is a telecommunication device for the Deaf.

Dates

Creation: ca. 1995-1998

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Historical Information: TTY

A TTY is a special device that allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired use the telephone to communicate, by allowing them to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. A TTY is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate.

To use a TTY, you set a telephone handset onto special acoustic cups built into the TTY (some TTY models can be plugged directly into a telephone line). Then, type the message you want to send on the TTY's keyboard. As you type, the message is sent over the phone line, just like your voice would be sent over the phone line if you talked. You can read the other person's response on the TTY's text display.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 carton containing 2 TTY's and their various components.)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The TeleTypewriter (TTY) phone collection consists of two phone systems. These are communication devices for the deaf. They were donated by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.