Disability Access @ Stanford - Disability Related Resources

Resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons

I. Sign Language Interpreting

Description is Cathy Haas, American Sign Language Lecturer, in the Language Center communicating in ASL with students during a presentation.Note: Please contact the Diversity & Access Office directly if you wish to request a sign language interpreter for a Stanford faculty or staff member, or for a University-sponsored event (e.g., speaker).

Deaf Services of Palo Alto
P.O. Box 60651, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Cell and text: (650) 856-3646
Fax: (650) 856-1114
Email: page@dspa.org
Contact: Janet Lewis, Director

Bay Area Communication Access (BACA)
443 Tehama Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-4111
Voice: (415) 356-0405
Fax: (415) 356-0495
TTY: (415) 356-0376
American Sign Language, tactile interpreting and CART services available.

II. Telecommunication

For telecommunication complaints or concerns, contact Sheila Sanchez.

  1. Teletypewriters (TTYs), also known as Telephone Devices for the Deaf (TDDs)

    Teletypewriters (TTYs), sometimes referred to as Telephone Devices for the Deaf (TDD), are used by people with hearing impairments to communicate as hearing people do by telephone. TTYs are equipped with a small keyboard and display monitor so that users communicate by written conversation.

    There are several public TTYs located at Stanford University. (coin-operated, like public telephones). For a map of the following locations, please visit the campus map.
    • Tresidder Memorial Union, 1st Floor
    • Green Library, East Entrance, 1st Floor
    • Maples Pavilion
    In addition, the following University offices have a privately-used TTY. Their numbers are listed below.
  2. Third-party Communication

    California Relay Service (CRS)
    6436 Oakdale Road
    Riverbank, CA 95367-9648
    (800) 735-0373 customer service

    It is also possible for hearing and hearing impaired persons to communicate using the 24-hour California Relay Service (CRS). CRS operators transmit spoken and typed messages between TTY and voice callers, allowing people who use TTYs to communicate with other telephone users who do not have TTYs, and vice versa. Relay operators receive calls, speak the typed portion of the call to the non-TTY user, and type the spoken portion to the TTY user.

    Voice to TTY: (800) 735-2922

    If you don't have a TTY and want to call someone who does, call (800) 735-2922. Tell the operator the number you are calling. The operator will dial your call, then read to you what the TTY user types and type to them what you say.

    TTY to Voice: (800) 735-2929

    If you have a TTY and want to call someone who doesn't, call: (800) 735-2929. Similarly, the operator will assist in placing the call, and will transmit information by either typing or speaking to the parties involved.

    CRS operators can also facilitate conversations with persons with speech impairments through Voice/Hearing Carryover (VCO/HCO). The person with normal speaking ability should converse as usual by addressing the non-speaking party directly. The speech-impaired person would converse by typing his/her part of the conversation; the CRS operator would then read it aloud to the other party.

    For more information about accommodations for hearing or speaking disabled persons, please contact the California Relay's customer service line, at (800) 735-0373.

III. Portable Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) at Stanford

Diversity & Access Office, Stanford University
Mariposa House
585 Capistrano Way
Stanford, CA 94305-8230
(650) 725-0326 (Voice), (650) 723-1216 (TTY)

Portable assistive listening devices available for loan, for use in classrooms and small meetings.

Stanford Event & Labor Services
340 Bonair Siding
Stanford, CA 94305-7208
(650) 723-2285
Contact: Ray McKee, Audio Visual Supervisor

Memorial Auditorium has a built-in capacity for use of ALDs. Other buildings with sound systems that have the capacity of installing ALDs on a temporary basis include: Dinkelspiel, Annenberg, Cubberly and Kresge Auditoriums. Call Event Services at the number above or e-mail Ray McKee to request use of ALDs. As a general rule, three or four days notice (preferred) would give Event Services ample time to set up; at the very minimum, one day advance notice is required.