Acquiring TTY's

Prepared by Karen Grossman

What is a TTY?

There are 4 million TTY users across the nation. Most TTYs consist of a keyboard which holds from 20 to 30 character keys, a display screen, and a modem. The letters that the TTY user types into the machine are turned into electrical signals that can travel over regular telephone lines. When the sent signals reach their destination (in this case, another TTY), they are converted back into letters which appear on a display screen or printed out on paper (or both). Some of the newer TTYs are even equipped with answering machines. Most of these devices "ring" using a flashing light.

Ordering Information

Academic departments and the like at Rutgers University may wish to purchase TTYs. The following are machines that Compliance and Student Policy Concerns has previously recommended:

Minicom IV ($239.00)
Basic, affordable and easy to use non printing model

Supercom 4400 ($339.99)
Similar system with most of the same capabilities without a printer

Miniprint 425 ($419.00)
This system is simple to use and includes advanced capabilities that are already programmed for you. It features Direct Connect with two phone jacks, auto answer, computer-style keyboard, call progress (says "ringing" or "busy"), tone or pulse dialing, turbo code (control speed of conversations), build in printer and a built in ring flasher.

Superprint 4425 ($499.00)
Similar to the Miniprint 425 but is faster, smaller and has many more features.

TTY Suitcase ($625.00).
Includes a TTY (Minicom IV), smoke detector, telephone flasher, door beacon knock signaler, alarm clock, bed vibrator and port amplifier for telephone.

For futher information and brochures you can contact:

ADCO
Jay Tinglam
1-8000-726-0851

Harris Communications
Sherry Silverman
1-800-825-6758

Potomac (TTY Suitcase)
Vicki Kiser
1-800-433-2838.

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Last updated: 01/22/2008

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