A very worthwhile service is offered to Montana residents with hearing and/or speech impairments. The service provides a variety of special equipment, as well as relay service, so that people with impariments can take advantage of the convenience and security provided by telephone service. The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) is funded through a ten cent per month fee assessed to each Montana telephone line.
Speech impaired users of the service can use special telecommunication equipment installed in their home to reach the relay center and type in the information they want relayed to the called party. The relay operator then speaks the information they want relayed to the called party. Hearing impaired users will read the other party's words on their display screen as it is typed in by the relay operator. Calls through the relay service are confidential.
Other assistive devices which are available from MTAP include Captel units, amplifiers, loud bell ringers, visual signals, etc. The cost of the equipment is dependent upon certain factors, including the user's income. For more information about MTAP contact them as follows.
Montana Telecommunications Access Program
111 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena MT 59620
1-800-833-8503
To place a call through Montana Relay, dial 711 from any phone in the state.
http://www.montanarelay.org
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