What is the National Relay Service?
The National Relay Service (NRS) is a phone service that helps people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties to make and receive phone calls. It acts as a bridge between you and the person you want to call.
How the National Relay Service Helps Older Australians
As you grow older, you might notice changes in your hearing or speech. These changes can make regular phone calls challenging. The NRS helps you stay connected with family, friends, and services despite these challenges.
The NRS is particularly helpful when you:
- Find it hard to hear what people are saying on the phone
- Need to communicate with someone who has hearing or speech difficulties
- Want to maintain your independence in making phone calls
NRS Options for Older Australians
The NRS offers different ways to make calls based on your needs:
Speak and Listen: If you have speech difficulties but can hear well, a relay officer will repeat what you say to the other person.
Captioned Relay: If you can speak but have trouble hearing, you can read what the other person says on a screen while you talk.
Text Relay: If you prefer typing, you can type your message and a relay officer will speak it to the other person.
National Relay Service and Aged Care
The NRS plays an important role in aged care settings. It supports the aged care standards that focus on dignity, respect, and independence.
In aged care facilities, the NRS can:
- Help you maintain contact with loved ones
- Allow you to make your own appointments
- Give you a way to communicate with staff and services
How to Start Using the NRS
Starting with the NRS is simple:
- Choose which type of relay service works best for you
- Register for the service (it is free)
- Learn how to make a call with the help of the relay officer
- Practice making calls to gain confidence
The NRS and Your Rights
As part of the aged care standards in Australia, you have the right to communicate in ways that suit you. The NRS helps uphold this right by making phone calls possible for everyone.
Getting Help with the NRS
If you live in an aged care facility, ask your care team about the NRS. They can help you:
- Set up the service
- Learn how to use it
- Practice making calls
For those living independently, the NRS has a helpdesk you can contact for support and guidance.
Why the NRS Matters
Phone calls remain one of the most direct ways to stay connected. By using the NRS, you keep your independence and maintain meaningful relationships with the people who matter most to you.
The NRS is more than just a service—it is a link to the outside world that helps you stay connected, informed, and engaged with your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Relay Service (NRS)?
The National Relay Service (NRS) is a phone service designed to assist individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties in making and receiving phone calls. It functions as a connection point between the user and the person they wish to call.
How does the NRS specifically help older Australians?
The NRS helps older Australians stay connected with family, friends, and services, especially if they are experiencing age-related changes in their hearing or speech. It is useful if they find it hard to hear on the phone, need to communicate with someone with hearing/speech difficulties, or want to maintain their independence in making calls.
What are the different types of relay services offered by the NRS?
The NRS offers three main ways to make calls: Speak and Listen (for speech difficulties, relay officer repeats what you say), Captioned Relay (for hearing trouble, you read what the other person says while you talk), and Text Relay (you type your message and a relay officer speaks it to the other person).
What role does the NRS play in aged care settings?
In aged care settings, the NRS supports standards focused on dignity, respect, and independence. It allows residents to maintain contact with loved ones, make their own appointments, and communicate directly with staff and services, upholding the right to communicate in ways that suit them.
How can I start using the National Relay Service?
To start using the NRS, you should choose the type of relay service that best suits your needs, register for the free service, and learn how to make a call with the help of a relay officer. If you live in an aged care facility, your care team can help you set up and practice using it.
