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Businesses are quickly
discovering the benefits of the Florida Relay Service (711). The Florida
Relay is the state's communication link for people who are Deaf, Hard of
Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Speech-Impaired. Through the Florida Relay, people
who use specialized telephone equipment such as a TTY (Text Telephone) can
communicate with people who use standard telephones and visa versa.
Unfortunately, over the past few years Relay users statewide have been
experiencing a much higher rate of hang-ups than conventional telephone
users. We have found that this is simply because most businesses and their
employees are just unaware of the service or how to handle a Relay call.
The good news is that Florida
Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) in partnership with the Florida
Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) is now providing a "Relay Friendly"
Business Partnership Program to all FAIA members at absolutely NO-CHARGE!
By signing up as a Business Partner, FTRI will send No-Cost
educational material so that any insurance agent in the State of Florida can
train their staff to communicate with hearing and speech-impaired individuals
through the Relay Service.
FTRI will provide you with a
"Relay Friendly" training kit designed to:
·
Educate your employees how to recognize and negotiate telephone
calls from the Florida Relay Service.
·
Teach your staff how to use the Florida Relay to contact
consumers who are Hearing and/or Speech-Impaired.
·
Show you how to take advantage of the many features that Relay
provides such as: translation services in Spanish, French Creole, and ASL
(American Sign Language) based text.
·
Be listed on the FTRI web site and in the direct mail newsletter
so that all Florida residents who use the Relay Service will immediately know
that you are "Relay Friendly".
Your
training kit contains:
·
A 10 minute instructional video tape for self-directed study.
·
A "711 Relay Friendly" window sticker and reproducible
camera-ready artwork to provide your facility the visual cue that you are
sensitive to the needs of the hearing and speech-impaired.
·
A facilitator's guide and reproducible worksheets for those who
wish to pursue more in depth training sessions.
How much will this
cost?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!
·
No specialized telephone or changes to your current
communication system required.
·
No charge to use Florida Relay Service.
·
No cost to become a partner.
To take advantage of
this program or get more information:
Call FTRI 1-888-292-1950 ext.
233, or visit us online at
www.ftri.org
To sign up immediately: click
on the link below, print out the postcard, fill in the required information &
either mail it to the address preprinted on the card or fax it directly to
850-656-6099.
http://www.ftri.org/admin/Publications/files/2001-152-postcard.pdf
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