This service is for people who have a Speech Disability or those who use an assistive voice device.

With Video-Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA-STS), you can call anyone on the phone. Using video conference technology, you also connect visually with a relay operator.  The relay operator, specially trained to understand speech patterns and watch for visual cues, repeats your words as needed for clarity.

This relay service is available in English.

The Customer Profile allows you to store your relay call preferences and helps speed up call processing.

How Does VA-STS Work?

Follow these simple steps!

Dial 711 (or 866-658-7712) and inform the relay operator that you would like to make a VA-STS call. Then go to https://va-sts.zoom.us and the relay operator will give you a Meeting ID number to join.

Once connected, the Zoom screen appears on your computer. This is a one-way video connection in which the relay operator will see you. Provide the area code and telephone number of the person you wish to call.  The relay operator will dial the number and connect to the other party.

  • 1

    You speak on your phone directly to the other party.

  • 2

    The relay operator sees and hears you, and repeats your spoken words to the other party as needed for clarity.

  • 3

    The other party talks directly to you.

Refer to the handy set of VA-STS step-by-step instructions, complete with pictures.

Video: How does a Video-Assisted STS call work?

Here’s a video showing step-by-step instructions for making a VA-STS call.

Video Description

Customer Profile and STS Call Setup

Registering and creating your Customer Profile can help speed up call processing for all of your STS calls.  Your profile contains all your call preferences in one place.

STS Call Setup is an optional feature in the Speech-to-Speech (STS) tab of your Customer Profile. It allows you to provide additional information to an STS operator prior to making an STS call to a specific party.  Simply fill out the online form with information such as:

  • Phone number and name of the person or business you are calling
  • Announcement for the STS operator to make at the start of your call (e.g., “This is John calling to check on my dog.”)
  • Instructions for the STS operator (e.g. details about the subject of the call, menu option, or anything to make the call easier)

Please contact support service if you would like assistance with your Customer Profile and/or STS Call Setup.