Modern Communication Choices for the Deaf Community Body:
- Tim Scannell
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing is changing fast. Older technologies such as TTY in the USA and Typetalk in the UK are no longer the main ways people communicate. These systems were once essential for bridging communication gaps, but now they are largely replaced by modern, more inclusive options.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the USA has stated that “the use of TTYs by the deaf and hard of hearing community has declined greatly, and TTY technology is considered antiquated and obsolete.”
In the UK, Typetalk has been replaced by services such as Relay UK, alongside other modern solutions.
Today, deaf people have a wide range of choices for communication, depending on their needs and preferences:
Video Relay Services (VRS): Allows users to communicate using sign language via video calls. In the UK, providers include SignWow, SignVideo, Convo and InterpreterLive!.
WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom: Many use these everyday apps for direct video or text communication - two ways or multi-ways.
Real-Time Text (RTT): Lets users type instantly during a call.
Captioning and speech-to-text tools: For those who prefer written communication.
Accessibility is not just about technology — it is about choice. Every person in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community has different preferences. The important thing is that those choices exist and are easy to access.
If we truly want inclusion, we must move away from outdated “one-size-fits-all” solutions and embrace a range of tools that give people the freedom to communicate in the way that works best for them.
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