- Click 'Make a call now'
- Type the area code and phone number you want to call into the input box
- Type the letters in the image into the other box (this is a security measure)
- Click 'Connect'
- Once connected to the relay officer you can type any instructions in the message window.
How it works
Once you are connected, the relay officer will ring the person you want to call, and you can then start typing your side of the conversation in the message window.
When you have finished the first block of text, just click 'Send'.
The relay officer becomes ‘your voice' and reads aloud to the person you are calling what you type on your computer, then listens to what the other person says and types it back for you to read.
Equipment needed
You will need a computer (either PC or Mac) with an internet connection:
Computer: Windows 98 with Pentium II or later; or a Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Memory: 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended).
Internet browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher, Netscape 6.1 and higher, Firefox 1.1 and higher, and Safari 1.0 and higher. If you have a Mac you can't make an internet relay call using Firefox; we suggest using Safari.
You will also need a small piece of free software called a Java plug-in. It's likely that the plug-in will already be loaded unless your computer is old - you might just be prompted to upgrade to the latest version of Java.
Making calls from work
If your computer is part of a corporate network then it is possible that the network's security settings won't allow you to download the Java plug-in you will need if making a call through our website.
Talk to your network administrator or IT department or network administrator about the best/easiest way you can access internet relay. They should be sympathetic to the needs of deaf/hearing impaired staff who need to make legitimate calls at work. Your network administrator is welcome to contact the NRS Helpdesk to discuss the best way to deal with your organisation's security and management protocols.
Many computer networks with high levels of security block both internal and external access to all but a few specific ports in the network's firewall. To access the NRS internet relay call page your network administrator needs to open port 5222 in the network firewall to both internal and external traffic.
Your network administrator is welcome to contact the Helpdesk to discuss the best way to deal with your organisation's security and management protocols.
Another option is to make your internet relay call using instant messaging (which doesn't require Java to run).
Overseas calls?
If you want to make overseas or premium rate (1900) calls, you will need an NRS account.
Get free training
Find an NRS trainer near you and book a session.
More on Java
If Java is not on your computer, your web browser will usually attempt to download the plug-in when it is required. However, this will depend on the security settings on your browser and computer - check the Help files on your browser to verify that Java and JavaScript are enabled.
If your browser does not load the call page when you click ‘Make a call now', try the following:
- Check to see if your system is running the Java plug-in. If it is, when you get to where the internet relay call page should load, you will see a Java ‘coffee cup' icon in your system tray (with the clock indicator).
- Make sure your Java plug-in is up to date. When you see the coffee cup icon, right-click on it to bring up an option entitled ‘About Java Plug-in'. Select this option and a dialog box will appear indicating the Java Plug-in version. If your version is 1.3.0 or lower, you must upgrade to the latest Java plug-in.
If you need to install the latest Java plug-in and are not prompted, download it from www.java.com/en/ and follow the instructions.
If you have an older Mac (running OS X 10.3 or older), or have problems running or downloading Java (this is a common issue on corporate networks), then you might be better making internet relay calls using instant messaging.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble making an internet relay call, see these frequently asked questions or contact the Helpdesk.
