Resources

On this page you will find information about the following topics:

Manufacturers

A manufacturer makes the devices that are sold by wireless service providers.

You can find information for the companies included in the list below by clicking on the links for each. When you visit each website you will be able to find information that is relevant to you, including:

  • The accessible features of the devices that they sell;
  • Information on accessing the features.

Alcatel
Apple
Doro
Google
HTC
Huawei
Kyocera
LG
Motorola
Nokia
Samsung

Application (App) Stores

Apps are little computer programs for your device. When you buy your device it may come with many apps already included. Those are called “native” apps. Other apps will need to be downloaded.

Most apps are easy to use and are designed to work well on your device’s screen. Apps let you do different things using your device. Some apps are developed with assistive technology to meet accessibility needs.

Most apps are free to download onto your smartphone but might have a subscription fee to use them. You should always ensure that you are only downloading apps from trusted sources. It is important to remember that apps use data to run and you will need to ensure your data plan has enough data available.

More information about apps.

How to Make a Video Call using an App

Using an app to make a video call is a popular way to keep in touch.

Learn more about how to make a video call.

Text with 9-1-1

Text with 9-1-1 is a service available to you if you are part of the Deaf, deafened, Hard of Hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community.

What you need to know about Text with 9-1-1.

For more information on how to register for Text with 9-1-1 with your wireless service provider, click on their link below.

7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless T9-1-1 registration page
Bell T9-1-1 registration page
Chatr T9-1-1 registration page
Eastlink T9-1-1 registration page
Fido T9-1-1 registration page
Fizz T9-1-1 registration page
Freedom Mobile T9-1-1 registration page
Koodo Mobile T9-1-1 registration page
Lucky Mobile T9-1-1 registration page
Public Mobile T9-1-1 registration page
Rogers T9-1-1 registration page
SaskTel T9-1-1 registration page
Tbaytel T9-1-1 registration page
TELUS T9-1-1 registration page
Videotron T9-1-1 registration page
Virgin Mobile T9-1-1 registration page

Video Relay Services (VRS)

Canada VRS is a service available to you if you’re part of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing or speech impaired community. VRS allows you to access and make telephone calls using wireless devices or Internet based technologies. VRS callers are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. VRS operators continuously relay the conversations from sign language to voice and back.

If you are using a wireless device to connect with Canada VRS to make video calls, the data you use does not count against your mobile data plan. This means that you can make VRS calls on your wireless device and not worry about data usage.

What you need to know about Canada VRS.

Message Relay Services (MRS)

In Canada, two types of message relay services (MRS) be made available to all Canadians: Teletypewriter (TTY) relay service and Internet protocol (IP) relay service. MRS allows people with a hearing or speech disability to make and receive telephone calls via text with the assistance of a relay operator. In an MRS call, the relay operator communicates with the person who has a hearing or speech disability via text and with the other party via voice.
  • Teletypewriter (TTY) relay service

    • A Teletypewriter, or TTY, device is a special device that lets people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or speech-impaired use the telephone to communicate. A TTY lets you use your phone by typing out messages instead of speaking and listening.

    To access TTY from a compatible wireless device call 7-1-1.

  • Internet Protocol (IP) relay service

    • Internet Protocol relay, or IP relay, is a relay service that uses the Internet instead of the phone system.

    IP Relay Service enables Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to place and receive text-based relay calls from their personal computer and/or wireless device. An IP Relay operator will connect an IP Relay caller to a voice party.

For more information about Message Relay Services offered by your wireless service provider, click on their link below.

Bell IP Relay Service
Bell Message Relay Service

Chatr Message Relay Service

Cogeco Message Relay Service
Cogeco IP Relay Service

Eastlink Message Relay Service
Eastlink IP Relay Service

Fido Message Relay Service

Fizz Message Relay Service

Freedom Mobile IP Relay Service
Freedom Mobile TTY

Koodo Mobile IP Relay Service

KMTS TTY

Lucky Mobile IP Relay Service

Public Mobile IP Relay Service

Rogers Message Relay Service

SaskTel Message Relay Service
SaskTel IP Relay Service

Tbaytel IP Relay Service
Tbaytel TTY

TELUS Relay Service

Videotron Message Relay Service

Virgin IP Relay Service

Other Resources

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
CRTC is an administrative tribunal that operates at arm’s length from the federal government. CRTC regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest.

Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS)
The CCTS is Canada's national, independent, industry-funded organization created to resolve complaints from consumers and small business retail telecom customers about telecommunications and television services fairly and free of charge.

Canada VRS
Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired Canadians use Canada VRS to access and make telephone calls using Internet and cell-phone based technologies. VRS callers are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls.

A wireless service provider is a company that provides you with your wireless voice and data services. You can also purchase your wireless device from your wireless service provider.
You can find information for the companies included in the list below by clicking on the links for each.
When you visit each website you will be able to find information that is relevant to you, including:

  • The accessible devices that they sell,
  • The types of accessible services that are available,
  • Information on accessible plans, discounts or add-ons,
  • How to make appointments.

7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless – Main site

Bell – Accessibility services site
Bell – Main site

Bell MTS – Accessibility services site
Bell MTS – Main site

Chatr – Accessibility services site
Chatr – Main site

Cityfone – Accessibility services site
Cityfone – Main site

Eastlink – Accessibility services site
Eastlink – Main site

Fido – Accessibility services site
Fido – Main site

Fizz – Accessibility services site
Fizz – Main site

Freedom – Accessibility services site
Freedom Mobile – Main site

Ice Wireless – Accessibility services site
Ice Wireless – Main site

KMTS – Accessibility services site
KMTS – Main site

Koodo Mobile – Accessibility services site
Koodo Mobile – Main site

Lucky Mobile – Accessibility services site
Lucky Mobile – Main site

PC Mobile (Post-paid) – Main site
PC Mobile (Pre-paid) – Main site

Petro Canada Mobility – Main site

Public Mobile – Accessibility services site
Public Mobile – Main site

Primus Wireless – Accessibility services site
Primus Mobile – Main site

Rogers – Accessibility services site
Rogers – Main site

SaskTel – Accessibility services site
SaskTel – Main site

Shaw Mobile – Accessibility services site
Shaw Mobile – Main site

Sogetel – Main site (FRENCH ONLY)

Tbaytel – Accessibility services site
Tbaytel – Main site

TELUS – Accessibility services site
TELUS – Main site

Videotron – Accessibility services site
Videotron – Main site

Virgin – Accessibility services site
Virgin Mobile – Main site

Wightman Telecom – Main site

Xplore Mobile – Accessibility services site
Xplore Mobile – Main site

A manufacturer makes the devices that are sold by wireless service providers.

You can find information for the companies included in the list below by clicking on the links for each.
When you visit each website you will be able to find information that is relevant to you, including:

  • The accessible features of the devices that they sell;
  • Information on accessing the features.

Alcatel
Apple
BlackBerry
Doro
Google
HTC
Huawei
Kyocera
LG
Motorola
Nokia
Samsung

Apps are little computer programs for your device. When you buy your device it may come with many apps already included. Those are called “native” apps. Other apps will need to be downloaded.

Most apps are easy to use and are designed to work well on your device’s screen. Apps let you do different things using your device. Some apps are developed with assistive technology to meet accessibility needs.

Most apps are free to download onto your smartphone, but there are some apps you do have to pay for before you can download them. It is important to remember though, that apps use data to run.

More information about apps.

More information about data.

Using an app to make a video call is a popular way to keep in touch.

Learn more about how to make a video call.

Canada VRS is a service available to you if you’re part of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing or speech impaired community. VRS allows you to access and make telephone calls using wireless devices or Internet based technologies. VRS callers are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. VRS operators continuously relay the conversations from sign language to voice and back.

What you need to know about Canada VRS.

In Canada, two types of message relay services (MRS) be made available to all Canadians: Teletypewriter (TTY) relay service and Internet protocol (IP) relay service.
MRS allows people with a hearing or speech disability to make and receive telephone calls via text with the assistance of a relay operator. In an MRS call, the relay operator communicates with the person who has a hearing or speech disability via text and with the other party via voice.

    • Teletypewriter (TTY) relay service
A Teletypewriter, or TTY, device is a special device that lets people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or speech-impaired use the telephone to communicate.

A TTY lets you use your phone by typing out messages instead of speaking and listening.

To access TTY from a compatible wireless device call 7-1-1.

  • Internet Protocol (IP) relay service

 

Internet Protocol relay, or IP relay, is a relay service that uses the Internet instead of the phone system.

IP Relay Service enables Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to place and receive text-based relay calls from their personal computer and/or mobile device. An IP Relay operator will connect an IP Relay caller to a voice party.

For more information about Message Relay Services offered by your wireless service provider, click on their link below.

Bell IP Relay Service
Bell Message Relay Service

Bell MTS IP Relay Service
Bell MTS Message Relay Service

Chatr Message Relay Service

Cityfone Message Relay Service

Eastlink IP Relay Service

Fido Message Relay Service

Fizz Message Relay Service

Freedom Mobile IP Relay Service
Freedom Mobile TTY

Koodo Mobile IP Relay Service

KMTS TTY

Lucky Mobile IP Relay Service

Primus Wireless IP Relay Service

Public Mobile IP Relay Service

Rogers Message Relay Service

SaskTel Message Relay Service
SaskTel IP Relay Service

Shaw Mobile IP Relay Service

Tbaytel IP Relay Service
Tbaytel TTY

TELUS Relay Service

Videotron Message Relay Service

Virgin IP Relay Service

There are different resources available to people with disabilities to help you connect with relevant programs and services, provide advocacy help, or support.

The organizations included below are not endorsed by WirelessAccessibility.ca.

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
CRTC is an administrative tribunal that operates at arm’s length from the federal government. CRTC regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest.

Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS)
The CCTS is Canada’s national, independent, industry-funded organization created to resolve complaints from consumers and small business retail telecom customers about telecommunications and television services fairly and free of charge.

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Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC)
CAD-ASC is a national information, research and community action organization of Deaf people in Canada. CAD-ASC’s mandate is to protect and promote the needs, rights, and concerns of Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) in Canada.

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA)
CHHA is a consumer advocacy organization representing the needs of the nearly 4-million people living with hearing loss. With a network across Canada, CHHA works cooperatively with hearing loss professionals, service providers, government and provides life enhancing information, support, and advocacy to ensure people with hearing loss are able to overcome barriers in all aspects of their lives.

Canadian Hearing Services (CHS)
CHS provides clinical services, products, education, and is a source of information for the Deaf and hard of hearing.

Canadian National Society of the Deaf-Blind (CNSDB)
CNSDB advocates for new and improved services, promote public awareness of deaf-blind issues and gather and distribute information in order to help empower individuals who are deaf-blind to become full participants of society.

Deafness Advocacy Association Nova Scotia (DAANS)
DAANS works with the public, private and non-profit sectors to remove old barriers and prevent new barriers faced by an estimated 58,000 Deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened and Deafblind Nova Scotians in a variety of areas including communication access, education, employment, health, legal services and recreation.

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Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC)
CDAC is a Canadian, non-profit organization that promotes social justice, inclusion and accessibility for people who have speech, language and communication disabilities, not caused by significant hearing loss.

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CNIB Foundation
The CNIB Foundation delivers innovative programs and advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. The CNIB Foundation, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada and CNIB Deafblind Community Services make up the CNIB Group.