Technology Timeline

History of TTY video released commemorating, in part, Ultratec’s role in advancing text telephone communication for people who are deaf.

Ultratec founder and president Robert Engelke is honored at the Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) 50th anniversary celebration, named as an honorary co-chair in recognition of the work he and Ultratec have done to improve telecommunications access for people with hearing loss.

OEI outreach team continues to expand nationwide to provide Outreach, Education, and Installations for CapTel captioned telephones. Provides local, on-site support for CapTel users.

Ultratec receives the Robert R. Davila Angel Award at ALDAcon’s annual conference in Norfolk, Virginia. The award is named in honor of Dr. Robert (“Bob”) R. Davila, a long time educator and respected member of the Deaf community who is a former President of Gallaudet University and has served in the U.S. Department of Education, where he advised the President on disability issues.

Located in Orlando, Florida, CSS provides CapTel captioning support for people with hearing loss.

The CapTel 800i connects to both a telephone line and an Ethernet/IP connection. The telephone line carries the voice portion of the call while simultaneously using the Internet to access the CapTel Captioning Service.

The NCD works to promote policies and practices that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities.

WebCapTel enables people to view captions of their telephone calls in their web browser during their conversations. With WebCapTel, people use whatever telephone they want – their cell phone, business phone, or home service – and still view captions of the call on their computer screen.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the new call center provides expanded service for CapTel users nationwide, while creating hundreds of job opportunities for local residents. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett officially opens the new center.

Many more states convert from consumer trials to full service CapTel over the course of the year. By December, the majority of states, nationwide, offer full service CapTel as part of their standard relay service. CapTel service is also available nationwide through the Federal Relay Service.

In announcing the decision, FCC Chairman Michael Powell states that CapTel “brings important innovation and additional choice to Americans with hearing disabilities.”

This combination signaler provides a cost-effective way to be alerted to both the doorbell and the telephone.

A new breakthrough that allows people who have difficulty understanding what is being said over the telephone to receive live captions of their telephone conversations. CapTel is the key to making telephone calls functionally equivalent to traditional voice calls, enabling people who are deaf or hard of hearing to enjoy telephone conversations with the same ease, speed, and confidence as telephone callers everywhere.

Individual units include a variety of TELEPHONE RING SIGNALERS, DOORBELL SIGNALERS, SOUND SIGNALERS, REMOTE RECEIVERS and the ADD-ON STROBE. Simplicity also includes an exclusive wireless doorbell signaler, which uses radio frequency instead of traditional wires.

In presenting the award, AURRP commends Ultratec’s leadership in advancing technology, its dedication to quality and innovation, and its commitment to diversity in employment practices.

This top-of-the-line phone offers the most powerful amplifier (up to 50dB), a built-in traditional speakerphone and quality sound enhancement while screening out background noises.

FASTRAN is intended to improve the quality of communications for all relay users (deaf and hard-of-hearing) to communicate by phone.

The SUPERPRINT PRO80 GOLD(tm) and the SUPERPRINT PRO80 LVD(tm) TTYs. Both models boast all of the features of the standard SUPERPRINT PRO80 plus enhanced display options and other features.

The Superprint Pro80 LVD model also offers extra large printing capability in addition to the three print sizes offered in all Ultratec printing TTYs.

Both the MINICOM 7000 and the MINICOM 7000 PLUS feature advanced technology including direct connect, auto-answer, 32k memory, and a Relay Voice Announcer that tells hearing callers to phone through the National Relay Service. The Minicom 7000 Plus also includes a built-in printer.

A simple, low cost, direct connect only TTY with directory dialing, speed dial Relay key, an easy to use VCO request key, and a long battery life for portable use. The EZcom Pro is the first truly portable direct connect TTY that can be used with a cellular phone and a data interface.

The latest in the company’s line of advanced TTYs. The SUPERCOM 4400 is a non-printing TTY that includes advanced capabilities such as Turbo Code, Auto ID, auto-answer, 32k memory, and direct connect features.

The program, which included Ultratec products since it first began, now offers over sixteen Ultratec models to choose from.

Auto ID is activated when the TTY is turned on. TTY tones are automatically sent to alert the answering party, such as emergency service personnel, that it is a TTY call.

An enhanced communications protocol that allows TTY users to transmit their words as fast as they type. As long as both TTYs are equipped with Turbo Code, telephone conversations for TTY users are in “real-time.”

The SUPERPRINT 4420 is a compact, printing TTY that offers the most advanced features available in a TTY. The Superprint 4420 offers a built-in printer with three selectable print sizes, call progress, optional ASCII, time and date functions, Auto ID, and Turbo Code.

A fold-up, pocket-sized TTY for mobile communications with advanced features for connecting to computers and information services. This is the first of several new generation products Ultratec will produce for the world TTY market.

Working closely with British deaf groups and British Telecom, new TTY models are designed to meet the unique specifications for Great Britain’s deaf telecommunications network.

The first comprehensive system that alerts the user to all of the sounds in his or her home with addressable modules.

A person may use his or her own voice to speak directly to the other party through the relay and have the operator relay text in the other direction.

A device that connects to the telephone line to detect incoming TDD/TTY tones so that emergency service agencies will respond appropriately.

VOICE ANNOUNCER tells the person receiving the call that a TTY is being used. This innovation reduces the risk of mishandled emergency calls and gives the TTY user a positive method of indicating the nature of the call.

Ultratec continues to expand its service network across the United States and Canada, and begins establishing sales and service facilities in South America and Europe.

This greatly reduces compatibility and reception problems that have plagued users for years.

Major telephone companies including Illinois Bell, General Telephone of California, Michigan Bell, Southern New England Telephone, Hawaiian Telephone, Alberta Government Telephone, Ameritech Services, Southern Bell, Bell South Services, and Manitoba Telephone choose Ultratec as their supplier of TTY equipment.

A second portable braille TTY with advanced features and greatly reduced size and cost.

A low cost, flexible family of signalers for alerting people with hearing loss to telephone ring and other household sounds.