聴覚障害者等の電話利用の円滑化｜情報アクセシビリティポータルサイト｜総務省

This page explains the Telephone Relay Service system designed to facilitate telephone use by people with hearing disabilities. Hearing-impaired individuals faced difficulties using phones independently due to their audio-only nature. A law was enacted in December 2020 to address this issue. The system operates through designated provider and support organizations. The provider (Japan Telephone Relay Service Foundation) offers 24-hour services, while the support organization (Telecommunications Carriers Association) manages fund collection and distribution. Telephone service providers contribute fees based on their telecommunications numbers used, ensuring fair and transparent operations for independent communication access.