TTY services are key to accessible communication, empowering deaf and hard of hearing individuals to connect with businesses, government agencies, and healthcare providers. At NexTalk, we’re proud to support that mission, helping organizations deliver vital TTY support with reliability and ease.
But in today’s environment, accessibility expectations are higher, communities are more diverse, and compliance standards are constantly evolving. TTY remains essential, but it’s only one part of the accessibility equation.
If your organization already offers TTY through NexTalk, you’ve taken an important step toward meeting modern accessibility benchmarks. The next step is ensuring that your communication services reach all individuals who face language or communication barriers.
That’s where Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) come in. Together with TTY, they provide a complete, scalable accessibility solution that works for more people, in more ways.
1. Serve More People with One Platform
TTY provides essential access for deaf and hard of hearing users. But communication challenges don’t stop there. Millions of people in the U.S. alone have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), speech limitations, or temporary conditions that make communication difficult.
Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI): Delivers on-demand voice interpretation in more than 200 languages, available 24/7.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Provides real-time visual interpretation, including American Sign Language (ASL), making it especially valuable in healthcare, education, and behavioral health, where facial expression and visual cues are critical.
With both services accessible through a simple web browser or mobile app, employees and customers can connect instantly, anytime and anywhere.
2. Meet CMS, ADA, and Section 1557 Requirements
TTY access is a baseline requirement for CMS audits, but CMS 5-Star ratings now emphasize broader accessibility, including interpreter availability across multiple channels. Expanding to OPI and VRI ensures you’re not just compliant, but excelling in today’s regulatory environment.
Boost your CMS 5-Star performance by addressing double-weighted measures tied to accessibility.
Reduce legal and compliance risks by ensuring your organization meets ADA and Section 1557 language access requirements.
Be prepared for audits—as interpreter availability checks are becoming more frequent and rigorous.
By offering real-time interpretation, you’re proactively protecting your organization while serving your community.
3. Maximize Accessibility Without Extra Complexity
A common concern is that adding new services means more technology, more systems, and more headaches. But with NexTalk, that’s not the case.
OPI and VRI are web-based and mobile-friendly, requiring no special equipment or complicated integration.
Employees and customers can use the tools they already have—whether it’s a desktop browser or a smartphone—to access interpreters seamlessly.
Your accessibility grows stronger, while your workflows remain simple and efficient.
It’s accessibility without disruption—giving your team more tools, not more obstacles.
With NexTalk, expanding your accessibility beyond TTY is simple and impactful. By activating OPI and VRI on your current solution, you’ll provide seamless, scalable access to professional interpreters—anytime, anywhere.
The result is clear: better compliance, broader reach, and stronger connections with the people you serve.
Reach out to NexTalk today to activate OPI and VRI, and take the next step toward complete communication access!