Save Internet Relay for those who need it

There's a simple solution to Internet Relay abuse. Make it so that only deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired people can use it. How?

Require proof of need, then register qualified users

This is similar to what states require before issuing handicapped license plates. Legitimate relay users would submit a letter from a licensed health care professional saying they need the service. After verification, they would then be issued a username and password to log on to the Internet Relay websites.

What if I need to call someone who's deaf? Can I still use Relay?

Of course. Internet Relay is different from Traditional Relay. Traditional Relay connects a TTY (text telephone) to a regular telephone. Either the TTY user or the telephone user can make the call.

Internet Relay connects a computer or text messaging mobile device to a regular telephone. Only the computer/mobile device user can make the call. Because the computer/mobile device takes the place of a TTY machine, only those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired should be able to log on to the Internet Relay websites. We are only proposing requiring proof of need in order to use Internet Relay — not Traditional Relay.

Why not require proof of need to use Traditional Relay?

Traditional Relay is not subject to the abuse that Internet Relay is, for three reasons:

• Traditional Relay users pay long distance charges. Internet Relay users do not. It would be cost prohibitive for overseas criminals to call the United States if they had to pay long distance charges.
• Internet Relay users are anonymous. Traditional Relay users are not. Their numbers (TTY or telephone) can be obtained by law enforcement.
• To make a Traditional Relay call, one party must have a TTY machine or special software for the deaf. Hearing kids who want to abuse Relay usually do not have access to these assistive technologies. Even if they do, the calls are not anonymous — they can be caught.

Why not just shut down Internet Relay?

For one thing, the problem is easy to fix, so it should be fixed. For another, Internet Relay was a breakthrough for the deaf community.

TTY machines are scarce. Most workplaces and public spaces don't have them. Internet Relay brought mobile telecommunications to the deaf community. Now, they could call from work or school on their computers. They could use mobile devices like Sidekick® the way hearing people use cell phones. Eliminating Internet Relay would take all that away.

Won't Video Relay take the place of Internet Relay?

Although popular with ASL (American Sign Language) users, Video Relay (which uses a webcam and an ASL interpreter) cannot substitute for Internet Relay. Mobile devices don't have high enough quality video to use Video Relay. Furthermore, not everyone who needs Relay communicates in ASL. Deaf-blind relay users type English and read Braille. And relay users who lost hearing or speech later in life may not even know ASL.