Relay Texas

" James Panico, PhD, CCC-SLP, a faculty member in SIUE's Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, has been named a recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) 2026 Media Champion Award for his work developing a groundbreaking exhibit on stuttering."

Read the full article here: https://www.siue.edu/news/2026/08/SIUEProfessorJamesPanicoNamedASHAMediaChampionforStutteringAwarenessWork.shtml

A simple phone call can mean connection, confidence, and independence.

For older adults, staying connected to family, friends, and essential services matters, but sometimes a hearing loss can make it difficult to continue using the phone. Relay services make phone communication accessible, helping residents stay engaged and in control.

If you work in a senior care facility, we can provide an in-person presentation at no cost for your staff on accessible calling options and how relay services can support your residents.

Schedule a presentation today at relaytexas.com

ID: [An illustration of a meeting. On the whiteboard is the Relay Texas logo and the text, " A simple phone call can mean connection, confidence, and independence." Below , on a piece of paper, text reads, " We provide free trainings and presentations to educate our community about relay services!"]

Today, we join the global movement recognizing the 50 million people living with cerebral palsy, their families, and supporters around the world. The World CP Organization is asking everyone to share the change they want to see and tag a local leader, business, or community organization that can help make it happen. We're tagging ourselves in! 🙌

Every voice matters, and together we can build more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to connect, participate, and thrive. At Relay Texas, accessibility is the foundation of everything we do. We are proud to support individuals living with cerebral palsy who may experience speech differences through a variety of no-cost telecommunications services, including:

📞 Speech-to-Speech (STS)
💻 IP Relay
⌨️ Hearing Carry Over (HCO)
🎥 Relay Conference Captioning (RCC)

These services help ensure that people with speech differences can communicate confidently, access essential services, maintain employment, connect with loved ones, and participate fully in everyday life.

To learn more about Relay Texas services and how we can support you visit relaytexas.com

And to learn more about World Cerebral Palsy Day visit: https://worldcpday.org/



ID: [An illustration of two women out for a walk in a park. One woman is in a wheelchair. The Relay Texas logo is in the top right. "World Cerebral Palsy Day. We are proud to support individuals living with cerebral palsy through a variety of no-cost telecommunications services, including: IP Relay, Speech-to-Speech, Hearing Carry-Over, Relay Conference Captioning. Learn more on relaytexas.com."]

🍂💙 October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month 💙🍂

This month, we celebrate the unique talents, achievements, and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome while raising awareness about the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and support.

Did you know that many people with Down syndrome experience some level of hearing loss?

Accessible communication can play an important role in supporting independence and meaningful connections for individuals with hearing loss which is why Relay Texas is proud to support individuals in our community who have Down Syndrome by promoting independence through no-cost access to accessible phone services.

RelayTexas.com

Source: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_hearing_loss_ds_child_inst


ID: ["Types of hearing loss associated with Down syndrome include: Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound has difficulty traveling through the outer or middle ear. While it is frequently temporary, it can sometimes be permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss is less common but permanent. It occurs when there are changes in the inner ear or auditory nerve, affecting the transmission of sound signals to the brain."]

During Blindness Awareness Month, we recognize the importance of creating an inclusive world where people who are DeafBlind or are Deaf with Low Vision have equal access to communication, information, and opportunities.

At Relay Texas, we are dedicated to offering no-cost communication services that help individuals stay connected, independent, and engaged with their communities.

Some of the resources we offer are:

TeleBraille: Connects individuals who are DeafBlind using TeleBraille devices and allowing them to communicate over the phone through relay services.

IP Relay: Enables individuals to place and receive calls through an internet-connected device. Users type their conversation and a relay operator voices their message to the hearing party while typing responses back. IP Relay is designed to be screen-reader compatible.

Relay Conference Captioning (RCC): Provides real-time captions for video meetings, webinars, and conference calls. RCC makes virtual meetings more accessible through fully customizable fonts and colors as well as screen-reader compatibility.

Learn more about these services on: relaytexas.com



ID: ["Relay Texas, Promoting Communication Access for Everyone. Blindness Awareness Month.” A photo of a man walking in a park with a white cane.]

✅ Why Does Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) Matter for Employers? RCC matters because it helps employers set their employees who have hearing or speech disabilities up for success!

1. RCC Supports Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance.

2. Meets Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Accessibility Standards.

3. Aligns Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.


Get started with RCC today! RelayTexas.com

ID: [A group of co-workers gather around a laptop. "RCC matters because it helps employers set their employees who have hearing or speech disabilities up for success!" The Relay Texas logo.]

This October, we're proud to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and this year's theme, "Celebrating Value and Talent." NDEAM honors the skills, achievements, and contributions that people with disabilities bring to America's workplaces, communities, and economy every day.

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate NDEAM at your organization? Start by helping your entire staff learn how to communicate effectively and inclusively with people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and/or have speech differences.

Schedule a no-cost relay services presentation with one of our outreach specialists and empower your team with practical knowledge that can help create a more inclusive workplace. Relaytexas.com

ID: [“4 Ways to promote inclusion through relay services education: 1- Ensure customer-facing staff know how to recognize and handle relay calls. 2- Educate hiring managers about accessible communication options during recruitment and interviews. 3- Include relay services information in employee onboarding and diversity training programs. 4- Use Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) to make conference calls, video meetings and webinars with your staff more accessible.]

Today's Topic: No Access Without National Sign Language 🤟🌍

Accessibility is a fundamental human right, but for Deaf people, true accessibility cannot exist without national sign languages.

Access to public services, education, healthcare, employment, emergency information, and everyday communication depends on the availability of national sign language services and inclusive communication practices. When national sign languages are recognized, promoted, and supported, Deaf people can fully participate in society and exercise their rights on an equal basis with others.

ID: [“International week of Deaf people.” Hands surround a heart. “No access without national sign language.” The Relay Texas logo. “Thursday September 24.”]

Today's Topic: Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights 🌍🤟

Declaring Deaf people’s human rights is more than a statement. It is a call to action to ensure these rights are recognized, respected, and fully implemented in every aspect of life for Deaf people around the world. Together, we can help build a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable world where Deaf people’s human rights are upheld and celebrated.

ID: [“International week of Deaf People. Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.” A hand holds a sign with ‘Human Rights,” on it. The Relay Texas logo. Wednesday September 23.”]

Sign language may not be universal, but love, acceptance, and accessibility always will be! Happy !

https://youtu.be/4UwLUnvcK8w?si=xuRqnGTQQx7asHUx