Access to disability equipment
There is a variety of specialised equipment available to meet the needs of people who are unable to use a standard telephone handset. Equipment is available to rent from Telstra or Optus or for private purchase.
Telstra
Telstra, as the Universal Service Provider, provides equipment to eligible customers through its Disability Equipment Program. It is the primary source of rental equipment for people with a hearing or speech impairment and provides equipment at the same rental rate as standard equipment.
Products under the Telstra Disability Equipment Program include the teletypewriter (TTY), telebraille, computer modems, phones with specialised functions and accessories such as visual alerts. Information on products and services for older people and people with a disability is available on the 
Telstra page on disability services.
For further information, contact Telstra's Disability Enquiry Hotline on 1800 068 424 (voice) 1800 808 981 (TTY) or email DisabilityEnquiryHotline@team.telstra.com
Telstra teletypewriter (TTY) payphones
TTY payphones enable National Relay Service users to access telephone services outside of the home. There are over 190 payphones that include the TTY facility.
Further information on TTY Payphones and their locations is available on the Telstra disability services page or by calling the payphone enquiry line on 1800 011 433 (voice) or 1800 808 981 (TTY).
Optus
Optus also provides a Disability Equipment Program and supplies TTYs and volume control handsets to eligible customers in Optus cabled areas in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
For more information on the Optus Disability Equipment Program call 1300 301 937 (voice) or 1800 500 002 (TTY).
Other
Equipment is also available for private purchase.
For information about suppliers and types of equipment available, contact the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660 (voice), 1800 555 630 (TTY), 1800 555 690 (fax) or visit www.relayservice.com.au/equipment.
