On the phone

Receiving calls

Some deafblind customers will use the Typetalk service to contact you over the phone.

Here is how to receive a Typetalk call:

1. An operator will say ‘Hello this is Typetalk’ and ask if you are familiar with the service.

2. If you are not, they will explain that a deaf or deafblind person is on the phone. The deafblind person will then type messages which the operator will read out to you.

3. You can then simply reply in the normal way, speaking slightly slower, so that the operator has time to type out what you are saying.

4. In this way, the deafblind person is able to have a conversation with you, reading what the operator types using specialist equipment. The process is slower than an ordinary phone call, but please take your time to be as clear as possible.

Making calls

Deafblind people can also use textphones to communicate. To call a textphone from an ordinary telephone you must dial the 18002 prefix followed by the full STD number (e.g. 18002 020 7272 9648) of the person you wish to call.

The 18002 prefix informs the telephone network that a call is being made to a textphone user and a Typetalk Operator will type what you say, and say what the deafblind person types.

Any number you dial with the 18002 prefix that includes any typing will be automatically discounted by up to 60% on your telephone bill.

Please make sure that all staff are aware of how to use Typetalk, as it is a very common way for a deafblind or deaf person to make a call, and very simple to use if you know how.