Hearing or Speech Solutions
Accessible devices and features
Built-in features on mobile phones and smart devices make connecting and communicating easier. Learn about some of these features below.
You can also visit Wireless Accessibility to learn more about accessibility features on wireless devices.
| Hearing & Speech Accessibility Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Video calling | You can use video apps like Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Facetime to communicate using sign language with other sign language users. |
| Teletypewriter (TTY) Connectivity, TTY Mode or Teletypewriter Support | This feature allows you to use your wireless device in a similar way to a TTY device. |
| Hearing aid compatibility | This feature allows you to pick a device that’s compatible with a hearing aid. |
| Hearing Aid Menu | Whether it’s called ‘hearing aid mode’ or ‘hearing aid-compatible menu’, this feature allows you to activate the telecoil function on your device. |
| Messaging Features | Allows you to communicate in writing (e.g., texting, emailing or instant messaging). |
| Visual and Vibrating Features | Allows you to give a visual cue or vibration for different device behaviours or actions. People who are hard of hearing can also choose specific ringtones for different contacts so they always know who’s calling. |
Want to learn more about accessibility features on different platforms?
Learn about accessibility on Apple
Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1)
Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) lets you communicate with an emergency 9-1-1 operator via text message. Keep in mind, you must be registered to use this service. Register now
T9-1-1 is not supported by data only devices (e.g., tablets), IP based devices, and landlines.
Forwarded messages via Extreme Text Messaging will not work.
To access the T9-1-1 service, users must have an eligible handset (i.e., the wireless device must support voice and text simultaneously). Non-certified Rogers devices and unlocked devices now on the Rogers network have not been tested and may not support the T9-1-1 service.
All wireless devices launched since 2013, and the following devices, have been tested and found to support T9-1-1 service:
Apple devices including iPhone 3G, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5
Blackberry® devices including the 9000 Bold, 8520 Curve, 9700 Bold, 9300 Curve 3G, 9780 Bold, 9800 Torch, 9360 Curve, 9790 Bold, 9810 Torch 2 and 9900 Bold.
LG devices including the TE365F/TE365 Neon, GT350 Wink Plus, GT350F Town, LG-A133CH, LG-C660R Gossip Pro, LG-P505CH Phoenix, LG-P505R, LG-P925 Optimus 3D, LG-P990hN Optimus 2X, LG-E400R L3, LG-E960 Nexus 4 and LG-P705g L7.
Nokia devices including the 2720 Fold, C6-00, Lumia 710.1, X2-01 and X7-00.
Samsung devices including the SGH-I896 Captivate, SGH-T369R Linx, SGH-T456 Gravity, I9020A Nexus S, I9250M Galaxy Nexus, S5690R Xcover, SGH-C414R, SGH-I727R, Galaxy S2 LTE, SGH-I997R, Samsung Galaxy SGH-T589R Galaxy Q, SGH-I317M Note 2, SGH-I717R Note 1 and SGH-I747M Galaxy S3.
Sony Ericsson devices including the Vivaz Pro U8a, X10a, Xperia Arc LT15a, Xperia Pro MK16a, Xperia Ion LT28i and Xperia U ST25a.
HTC devices including the Evo 3D (PG86310), Raider (PH39150), Desire C (PL01130), One S (PJ40110) and One XL (PJ83100).
Motorola devices including the XT910S, XT910K, XT910, SP12311845, RAZR maxx, RAZR and M0C2E.
Message Relay Service (MRS)
Message Relay Service (MRS) helps customers who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or have difficulty with speech to communicate through a relay operator via teletypewriter (TTY) or over the internet.
MRS support both voice carry over (VCO) and hearing carry over (HCO) calls.
TTY
A Teletypewriter (TTY) device enables communication with voice users through a relay operator.
1 800 855-0511 (Voice to TTY)
711 (TTY to Voice)
1 800 855-1155 (TTY to TTY)
IP Relay
- IP Relay allows you to place and receive text-based relay calls from your computer or mobile device. A relay operator will connect an IP Relay caller to a voice party. You must have internet access or mobile data to use this service. To access MRS via IP Relay, register for a unique access number (your user ID) and password. Registration is free for wireline phone and wireless customers.
- Already have a user ID and password? Access our IP Relay service from the IP Relay website or download the free IP Relay Canada app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Enter your access number and password and click on “log on”.
- Review the Tips and FAQ links on the bottom of the IP Relay portal to read detailed information on how to use IP Relay services.
- Voice callers to IP Relay: Call the toll-free IP Relay number at 1-855-801-5862 and provide the operator with the access number of the IP Relay user you wish to contact.
Video Relay Service
Video Relay Service (VRS) is a free service provided by SRV Canada VRS. VRS helps people who use sign language to communicate with voice telephone users. VRS callers are connected by video with a sign language interpreter who provides real-time interpretation for telephone calls.
If you live in Canada and are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, and wish to communicate via video using sign language, then you're eligible to use VRS.
VRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Visit SRV Canada VRS' Register page to register for VRS and learn how to make and receive VRS calls. For support and assistance using VRS, please review the FAQ page and contact SRV Canada VRS Directly.
Rogers wireless customers using VRS over the network within Canada have unlimited access to VRS.
Wireless plans and add-ons
If you have an accessibility need or a disability, you might be eligible for a discounted Wireless plan.
We offer a $20 monthly discount on all our in-market plans, including Rogers InfiniteTM plans which include Data Manager and Roam Like Home. First, contact our Accessibility Services team to help you choose the perfect wireless plan.
To apply for the discount, please send your name, Rogers account number, mobile phone number, and a copy of your disability-association membership to our Customer Care team through either of these options:
- Email: AccessibilityDiscount@rci.rogers.com
Mail: Customer Support Investigations Team
100 Westmorland St.
Moncton NB
E0C 0G1
- Fax: 1-800-219-6473
Add-ons
Premium Voicemail-to-Text
For an extra $7 per month, get text and audio versions of your voicemail messages delivered to your device via text message.
- Store up to 35 five-minute voicemail messages and save each one for up to 10 days.
- Get text and audio versions of your voicemail sent to your device.
- Scan and respond to urgent messages.
- Choose how you wish to respond—by text or voice.
- Listen to your voicemail without dialling in or entering a password.
- Listen to your voicemail messages in any order you want.
Wireless Public Alerting
To watch an accessible video about the Canadian Wireless Public Alerting (WPA) system, visit wirelessaccessibility.ca.
Wireless Code
Learn about the CRTC Wireless Code and your rights as a Canadian wireless customer.
Service and device trial period for customers with disabilities
Customers with disabilities are eligible for an extended trial period for their Wireless service (30 days). Devices can be returned within 30 days from the date of purchase.
Home Phone Accessibility Features
Rogers Services
We’re pleased to offer our Home Phone customers with special needs the following services:
- Directory Assistance: No charge for 100 directory assistance (4-1-1) calls per month.
- Operator Assistance: We provide free operator assistance to help complete local, long distance, sent paid (per-minute rates apply), collect, and bill-to-third-party calls. Local and long distance charges apply.
Compatibility with home emergency services
Our Home Phone service is compatible with the following home emergency services:
- DirectAlert
- Mondial Lifeguard Technologies
- ConnectCare
- Philips Lifeline
TV services
Below, learn more about the features that make Ignite TV and our Digital TV services accessible and usable for users who have hearing or speech impairments.
Closed captioning
Also known as subtitles, closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as on-screen text, including dialogue, music and sound effects. Closed captioning can be activated on Ignite TV or any of our Digital TV services. Rogers provides all closed captioning provided by Canadian and foreign television services.
Closed captioning on Ignite TV
How to turn on closed captioning on Ignite TV:
- Press and hold the Mic button on the Voice Remote.
- Say, "Captions," or "Turn on closed captioning."
- Release the Mic button.
- Subtitles, if available, will appear on any program you watch until you turn closed captioning off.
How to turn on closed captioning for just one program:
- While tuned to the program, press the OK button on the Voice Remote.
- Press the left-arrow button.
- Select the "CC" icon on the screen.
- Subtitles will appear for the duration of the program.
You can also visit this page to learn how to customize the appearance of your closed captioning.
Closed captioning on Digital TV
How to turn on closed captioning on Digital TV:
If you have a High Definition set-top box: Use the Info and Settings buttons on your Rogers remote to activate closed captioning or to customize its appearance (i.e. font size and on-screen placement).
If you have a Standard Definition set-top box: Closed captioning needs to be turned on via your TV, not your set-top box. This can be done via your TV’s settings menu.
How is closed captioning generated?
Many people think that captions are created automatically by computers. In fact, captions are created by highly skilled individuals known as captioners. Computers aren’t advanced enough yet to accurately caption the content in live television broadcasts.
The hardest part of a captioner’s job is to caption live programming, like news and sports, because the captions must be created at the same time as the broadcast. This video explains how live captioners create accurate captions in real time.
Added benefits for qualifying customers
Rogers is pleased to offer 30% off Ignite TV bundles for qualifying customers. Contact us here for details.
Sign language interpreter services
Customers are welcome to bring a sign language interpreter to a Rogers store. You may book an interpreter through the Canadian Hearing Services or through another service. The interpreter will invoice any associated costs directly to the Rogers store.
