With a coverage area of 3,000 square miles, FTC has been committed to providing cutting-edge communications technology to the residents of Clarendon, lower Florence, Lee, Sumter and Williamsburg counties for more than 70 years. Offering television, wireless and home phone services for customers with disabilities, the cooperative’s dedication to service access extends to all area residents, no matter what type of special assistance they need in accessing.
FTC offers a range of accessibility services geared specifically toward customers with disabilities. Home phone, wireless and television services for people with disabilities include Alert Line, Closed Captioning, Speed Dialing, TTY and Video Descriptions.
Alert Line
This voice service benefits anyone who needs to reach out for help without having to dial the telephone physically. It allows the user to choose one telephone number they would like to reach simply by picking up the telephone receiver. It can be an emergency, family, or business number and either local or long distance. FTC will program the selected number for the line (with long-distance numbers being billed for long-distance rates). If a number is not dialed within 10 seconds of the phone receiver being lifted, the chosen number will be dialed automatically.
Closed Captioning
Closed captioning services are a big help for those with hearing difficulties or anyone who wants to follow a television program with the volume down. This option provides written notes on the screen during a TV program or movie, conveying all dialogue and other relevant audio such as sound effects, speaker identification and non-speech elements. And to avoid obscuring visual elements, the on-screen positioning of the captions changes as needed.
Local Store Accessibility
Service dogs are welcome at all FTC store locations and all store locations are wheelchair accessible. For customers paying over the phone or in person, customer service representatives can read bills aloud upon request.
Relay South Carolina
A free service for all South Carolina residents, Relay South Carolina (RSC), connects individuals who are deaf, deaf/blind, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability with users of standard telephones. Whether the caller uses a standard telephone or a text telephone (a special phone with a typewriter-style keyboard), Relay makes communication simple 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program
Administered by the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind (SCEDP), the South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program (SCEDP) distributes specialized free landline telephones, cell phone accessories, alerting devices and tablets to qualified applicants who are having trouble using a standard phone. For more information on SCEDP, consumers can call 1-877-225-8337 (voice) or 1-877-889-8337 (TTY) or reach out via email at AmplifyLife@scedp.org.
Speed Dialing
Speed Dialing enables a phone to remember and dial frequently called numbers and emergency numbers quickly and accurately. FTC offers two Speed Dialing plans. Speed Dialing 8 allows users to press a single button (followed by the # key) to reach one of eight selected frequently called numbers. Speed Dialing 30 allows users to press a pair of buttons (followed by the # key) to reach one of 30 different programmed phone numbers.
Telecommunications Relay Service
The Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a means for the hearing- and speech-impaired residents of South Carolina to conveniently place and receive telephone calls. No charges apply to local calls. To fund the service, local telephone companies collect a monthly charge per phone line from every customer. All voice subscribers of FTC can dial 711 to access TRS.
Teletypewriter (TTY) Dialing
A person with a hearing or speech disability can use the telephone system via a Teletypewriter (TTY) or another device to call people with or without such disabilities. TTY translates text into speech and vice versa. FTC’s Voice service is compatible with TTY equipment.
Video Descriptions
For those who are blind or have impaired vision, FTC offers audio-narrated descriptions on popular channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, USA, Disney Channel, TNT, Nickelodeon and TBS. For more information on the Audio Accessible Guide, contact 843-365-2154.
Wireless Services: Hearing Aid Capability
As wireless carriers move from analog to digital services, accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing is a concern. Digital technology means more features and improved efficiency, but some digital phones can cause interference for users of hearing aids. To make sure deaf and hearing-impaired customers can use digital wireless devices, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (“HAC Act”), passing regulations to increase the number of hearing aid-compatible wireless devices.
Those interested can view FTC’s list of hearing aid-compatible devices that work well with hearing aids. And the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative’s database of devices with accessibility features that work best for consumers allows users to confirm which devices have the services they need.
Looking for a trusted local provider that can meet all of your home’s communications needs? FTC, your all-in-one technology company, offers Internet, Wireless, Voice, Security and TV, along with a range of accessibility services designed to help meet the needs of customers with disabilities. To explore all that FTC has to offer, visit ftc.net today.
