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Colby Telecom Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing

The National Association for the Deaf (NAD) estimates there are 28 million Americans who are either deaf or hard-of-hearing, and nearly 2.5 million speech-impaired individuals nationwide. Some attend or work at Colby and have special needs when it comes to Colby's telephone service. In addition, special equipment or services are sometimes necessary to communicate with a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. Colby Telecom provides services and equipment to assist with these needs.

The most common telephone equipment for those who are deaf is what is known as a TTY device. This keyboard and mini-screen device attaches to a standard analog phone line and allows text telephone conversations.
         
Colby provides campus TTY telephone service for individuals who require it. The primary TTY is located at the College's main switchboard within the Security Office in Roberts Union. Colby's TTY number is 207 872-3900.

Colby Telecom has another TTY device for loan to Colby offices, faculty members and students. We can also assist individuals in obtaining their own TTY either through a selected vendor, or from cost free sources such as the Maine Department of Labor's Division of Deafness Telecommuncations Equipment Distribution Program.

Colby Telecom can also obtain accessories to improve standard campus phones for those who are hard-of-hearing. And, our cell phone company, US Cellular, offers Short Messaging Service (SMS) and vibrate mode cell phones that many hard-of-hearing people find useful.

If you are deaf or hard-of-hear or you must occasionally communicate with someone who is deaf or hard-of-hear, please contact Ken Gagnon of Colby Telecom to learn more about Colby's telephone options.

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