Accessibility services - Relay service

The Bell Relay service supports communication by phone between hearing people, and people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or those with speech disabilities. Professionally trained operators act as intermediaries to facilitate the call. Bell Relay operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Calls placed through the Bell Relay service are also entirely confidential. Bell Relay operators are professionally trained and follow a strict code of ethics. No record of conversation content is retained.

Download Bell Relay service call me cards (PDF)

  • Types of Bell Relay service calls and charges

    There is no charge for using the Bell Relay service to place local calls. Long distance calls are billed to the number you are calling from at a reduced rate. The cost of the call will depend on where you are calling from, the type of phone service you have and how you are billing the call.

    Registered TTY/teletypewriter users are entitled to a 50% discount on intra-Bell and Canada-Canada long distance calls that are rated under Bell Canada's basic toll schedule.

    To register for the discount or get more information on the available long distance discounts for TTY/teletypewriter users, please contact the Accessibility services centre

    NOTE: Calls to 900 and 976 numbers are not accepted.

    Collect, person-to-person and Calling Card™ calls and calls billed to a third number* are subject to regular operator-handling charges.

    Calls from a public phone or hotel must be charged collect, to a third number or using a Calling Card. Calls from a public phone cannot be paid with additional coins or "quick change" cards because the Bell Relay operator cannot collect or return your money. Calls billed to a third number are always checked before a call is connected.

  • Accessing Bell Relay service

    • 1 800 855-0511 (Voice to TTY).
    • 711 (TTY to Voice).
    • 1 800 855-1155 (TTY to TTY).
      For Operator Assistance in billing your long distance call to another TTY.

  • How Bell Relay service works for TTY users

    Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability use a TTY to type their conversations to a Bell Relay operator. The operator then reads the typed conversation to the other party. The Bell Relay operator then types the other party's spoken words back to the TTY user.

    Placing a Bell Relay service call

    1. Dial 711. The Bell Relay operator will answer saying Bell Canada Relay service, (operator's name) speaking, followed by GA (for go ahead).
    2. Type in the area code and number you would like to call, and then type GA.
      (note: although you are not required to give the operator your name or the name of the person you are trying to reach, doing so helps the agent connect to the person you are calling).
    3. The Bell Relay operator will dial the number. After a brief pause, the operator may tell you: "I'm just explaining the Bell Canada Relay service, please hold..." The Bell Relay operator will let you know as soon as someone answers the call, i.e. "John is on the line, GA" (if you provided a name).

    Answering an incoming call using your TTY device

    • When your phone rings or you see the signal light flashing indicating an incoming call, place the handset on the TTY coupler and switch the power ON.
    • When you receive a collect call, the TTY operator will type the name of the person calling and ask if you will accept the charges. If you accept, type YES GA; if not, type NO GA. 

    Placing an outgoing call using your TTY device

    • Turn the TTY power switch ON, place the handset on the coupler and dial the phone number.
    • Watch the signal light: a slow flashing light indicates the line is ringing; a short steady flashing light means the line is busy. If the light is flashing irregularly, it means a hearing person has answered the phone. Press any TTY key to send a high TTY signal to let the person know it is a TTY call.

    General tips for TTY users

    • A TTY (sold prior to 1995) sends signals at 60 words per minute.
    • If you're making a long distance call, plan what you want to say in advance. Use abbreviations, and don't worry about spelling.
    • When calling a large corporation, be sure to give the operator the department and the name of the person you are trying to reach. This way, the call will progress much more quickly, and the operator won't have to keep repeating the procedures for using the BRS system. If you know the extension number of the person you are trying to reach, tell the operator at the beginning of the call.
    • If you type the wrong word or message, either backspace or type the letter X three times (XXX) after the mistake.
    • When you finish your turn, remember to type GA to signal the other person to respond.
    • If the person you are trying to reach is already familiar with the Bell Relay service, tell this to the operator so that valuable time is not wasted explaining the system.
    • If the message on your screen becomes garbled, press XXX or the spacebar to reconfigure your TTY.
    • You can leave messages on answering machines or voice mail systems with the Bell Relay service. When you do so, you could mention that you have called using the relay service, and leave the Bell Relay service 1 800 number with your area code and phone number.
    • When the conversation is finished, type GA or SK (stop keying). The other person will either continue or type Goodbye (SKSK). You respond with SKSK. Complete your call by placing the handset back on the phone and turn the TTY power switch OFF.
    • Always wait for the Bell Relay operator's GA before typing.
    • Dial 1 800 855-1155 to place the following types of calls: collect, Calling Card, person-to-person or billed to a third number,. Remember these calls are subject to regular operator-handling charges and are not eligible for TTY-user discounts.
    • If you have trouble dialling a call yourself (i.e. you are cut off during your conversation or your message is garbled due a problem with the line), the TTY operator can help you complete the call. Depending on the circumstances, the charges may be adjusted.

    In case of an emergency

    • Dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Press the space bar intermittently until you get a response.
    • Be prepared. Note down your local emergency numbers and keep them near your TTY teletypewriter for handy reference.
    • Note: The Bell Relay service is not an emergency service.

  • How Bell Relay service works for voice users

    You can easily initiate home or mobile phone calls to TTY users using the Bell Relay service. A Bell Relay operator will type your spoken words to the TTY users and read back their replies.

    Placing a Bell Relay service call

    1. Dial 1 800 855-0511. The Bell Relay operator will answer saying Bell Canada Relay service, (operator's name) speaking, followed by GA (for Go ahead).
    2. Provide the Bell Relay operator the area code and number you would like to call.
      (note: although you are not required to give the agent your name or the name of the person you are trying to reach, doing so helps the agent connect to the person you are calling).
    3. The Bell Relay operator will dial the number and keep you informed, as you will not be able to hear the line ring. After a brief pause, the operator may tell you: "I'm just explaining the Bell Canada Relay service, please hold..."
    4. The Bell Relay operator will let you know as soon as someone answers the call, i.e. "John is on the line, GA" (if you provided a name), and read what is typed, followed by GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD is your cue to begin speaking. Always finish by saying GO AHEAD so TTY users know it is their turn to respond.

    General tips for voice users

    • Speak directly to the TTY user, not to the Bell Relay operator.
    • Talk a bit more slowly than usual as the Bell Relay operator is typing in word for word what you are saying.
    • Spell names.
    • Always say GO AHEAD when you are finished.
    • Always wait for the Bell Relay operator to say GO AHEAD before speaking.
    • Let the Bell Relay operator know at the beginning of the call if you are familiar with the service.