VCO INFORMATION
This section contains answers to frequently asked questions about VCO.
How does the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) relay my VCO call?
Every state in the U.S. has a TRS which links TTY users with those who do not have TTYs. With the TRS, VCO calls are made with the help of an operator called a Communications Assistant (CA). You can speak directly to the person you are calling. That person speaks his or her reply which the CA types for you to read on your TTY. This service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
By law, all relay calls are kept strictly confidential. You may find your state’s
Does VCO automatically translate between voice and text?
No. VCO requires the use of a TTY or TRS. During a VCO call through the TRS, the CA types the other person’s spoken words and you can read what is said on your display. During a direct VCO call, the other person types the message on a TTY.
Is there an additional charge for using VCO and TRS?
No. VCO does not cost anything! The TRS service is provided
Where can I learn more about VCO?
Contact your state’s TRS and ask them about the specific VCO options available to you, such as
What is HCO?
Hearing Carry Over (HCO) is similar to VCO, in that it combines voice telephone calling with TTY calling. The difference is that instead of speaking for yourself and reading the reply, HCO lets you hear for yourself and then type the reply.