If you’ve been part of the deaf or hard of hearing communities for a while, like I have, you’ve probably watched technology transform the way we connect - from typing on TTY machines to new innovations like real time captions, braille, and ASLizing through high-definition video calls.
This is the story of that evolution—and how Californians today can access technology through California Connect, a statewide program ensuring anyone who has a need for accessible communication devices stays connected.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Teletypewriter (TTY) - also called TDD - was revolutionary. Deaf and hard of hearing people could type messages over phone lines using a small screen that glowed aquamarine letters and a keyboard. I nostalgically remember rolls of TTY paper recording my countless hours of conversation with friends.
For the first time, many, like my parents, could call a doctor, order food, or check in with family without asking a hearing person to make the call for them. The TTY calls were made through Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) where a relay operator read typed messages aloud to the hearing caller and typed back the spoken response.
The 1990s brought the Internet, a flurry of instant messaging, most famously with AOL, and texting through cell phones. Suddenly, we could reach virtually anyone with a computer or cell phone. It was a leap forward for Deaf and hard of hearing users like Josh, a deaf Angelino, who recalls, “If I missed the Metrolink train on my way home from school, I could easily text my parents to let them know. Before, I’d have to ask a hearing person at the train station to make a call who would then connect with TRS to relay my message to my deaf parents.”
Next came Real-Time Text (RTT), built into many smartphones today. RTT lets both people see each other’s messages as they’re being typed. It’s faster and more conversational than traditional texting or TTY.
For deaf and hard of hearing Californians, RTT makes phone communication more accessible and provides another option for people to customize their communication preferences, especially for older adults, late-deafened people, or anyone who prefers written text over voice or video. It’s a modern way to stay connected using ordinary devices.
While these tools were transformational, they relied on English text. They didn’t capture the rich grammar, emotion, and cultural expression of American Sign Language (ASL) and thus communication equity still had a way to go. For some, equity means full ASL access; for others, it means clear captions, amplified sound, or real-time text—whatever supports full participation.
A new revolution came with Video Relay Service (VRS). The first VRS demonstrations of this technology came in the United States in 1994. In 1997 the first VRS service launched in Sweden and was finally launched in the US in 2000. VRS uses broadband Internet and a video camera; Deaf people can sign in ASL to a live interpreter, who relays the deaf person’s message in spoken English to a hearing person on the other end and vice versa.
VRS transformed access to healthcare, business, education, and emergencies. For the first time, communication could happen in real time, in ASL. While VRS connected deaf callers with hearing people by phone, another innovation called Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) brought interpreters into in-person or virtual meetings instantly through a tablet or laptop. If a deaf person walks into a hospital, courthouse, or job interview and no interpreter is available, VRI bridges the gap in seconds making access available quickly even if an in-person interpreter isn’t available immediately.
Simultaneously, we saw continued innovations take place in the text realm. Remote Conference Captioning (RCC) is a newer service that provides live real-time captions. At workplaces and schools, Deaf and hard of hearing participants can read everything being spoken on screen.
Both VRI and RCC help people of all ages and identities and of all hearing levels - whether you’re a student, an elder, or a professional managing meetings - to get more equitable access to information.
Another important milestone was the arrival of Captioned Telephone (CapTel) in 2003 and related Braille CapTel technology for DeafBlind users. CapTel phones display real-time captions of what the other person is saying while allowing users to listen, speak, or read along. For DeafBlind individuals, Braille CapTel devices convert those captions into Braille, making telephone conversations accessible through touch. For many older adults and DeafBlind Californians, these tools opened doors to independence—letting them handle doctor appointments, family calls, and emergencies in a way that fits their needs and abilities.
Today’s newest breakthrough is Direct Video Calling (DVC). Unlike VRS, which uses an interpreter, DVC gives deaf or hard of hearing people the opportunity to connect directly with customer-service representatives who are fluent in ASL.
From TTYs to RCCs and ASL video calls, the evolution of communication technology reflects the creativity, persistence, and pride of the Deaf community. As innovation continues, programs like California Connect ensure that every Californian who has a need for accessible communication devices has equitable access to the tools that make connection possible. When communication is accessible, connection - and community - can truly thrive.
Timeline at a Glance
