--- title: Accessible Communication (2) description: Read tips on serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees and customers, mitigating data security risks, complying with ADA regulations, and exciting NexTalk news. (2) image: https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/close-up-woman-with-sign-language-1.jpg --- [![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NexTalk%20Logo%5B61%5D-1.png?width=2854&height=643&name=NexTalk%20Logo%5B61%5D-1.png)](http://www.nextalk.com) Open main menu Close main menu - [HOME](https://www.nextalk.com) - [ABOUT](https://www.nextalk.com/about-us/) - SOLUTIONS Open the submenu - [Access Contact Center](https://www.nextalk.com/product/access-contact-center/) - [Access Government](https://www.nextalk.com/product/access-government/) - [Access Office](https://www.nextalk.com/product/access-office/) - [Access Home](https://www.nextalk.com/product/access-home-with-speechpath/) - [Access Remote Interpreting](https://www.nextalk.com/product/access-remote-interpreting/) - [SUPPORT](https://www.nextalk.com/support/) - [BLOG](https://blog.nextalk.com) - [CONTACT US](https://www.nextalk.com/contact-us/) # Accessible Communication Select Category CMS News Regulation Solutions Technology This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-19%20at%203.27.15%20PM.png) [Solutions,](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/solutions) [CMS](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/cms) ### [What it Takes to Earn a CMS 5-Star Rating](https://blog.nextalk.com/what-it-takes-to-earn-a-cms-5-star-rating) Jul 15, 2025 1:00:00 PM For healthcare organizations, earning a CMS 5-Star Rating is a critical indicator of quality, trust, and member satisfaction**.** In a landscape where members expect accessible, responsive care, your contact center plays a pivotal role in achieving and maintaining this rating. ![Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ian.jpeg?width=45&name=ian.jpeg) [Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/ian-thomas) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/what-it-takes-to-earn-a-cms-5-star-rating) ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-19%20at%202.54.53%20PM-2.png) [CMS](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/cms) ### [Ensuring Reliable Communication for Every Medicare Plan Member](https://blog.nextalk.com/ensuring-reliable-communication-for-every-medicare-plan-member) Jul 8, 2025 1:00:00 PM Clear, reliable communication is essential in customer service—especially for those who rely on TTY (Text Telephone) technology. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired, TTY provides a vital connection to the support they need. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our automated testing service, a behind-the-scenes testing feature designed to ensure TTY calls are always received, routed, and handled properly. Built with a focus on call reliability and agent readiness, this automated test is especially valuable for serving Medicare customers, where accessibility and compliance are non-negotiable.  ![Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ian.jpeg?width=45&name=ian.jpeg) [Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/ian-thomas) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/ensuring-reliable-communication-for-every-medicare-plan-member) ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/CMS%20Monitoring%20Guide%20_%20NexTalk.gif) [Solutions,](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/solutions) [CMS](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/cms) ### [Navigating the 2025 CMS Call Center Monitoring Study](https://blog.nextalk.com/navigating-the-2025-cms-call-center-monitoring-study-a-compliance-and-star-ratings-guide) Feb 11, 2025 8:30:00 AM   [Jessica Assefa](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/jessica-assefa) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/navigating-the-2025-cms-call-center-monitoring-study-a-compliance-and-star-ratings-guide) ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/Compliance%20Concept.%20Word%20on%20Folder%20Register%20of%20Card%20Index.%20Selective%20Focus..jpeg) [Regulation,](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/regulation) [Solutions](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/solutions) ### [How NexTalk Helps Health Plans Address TTY/FLL Call Discrepancies](https://blog.nextalk.com/address-call-center-monitoring-discrepancies) Aug 21, 2024 1:34:49 PM   ![Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Cummings.jpeg?width=45&name=Scott%20Cummings.jpeg) [Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/scott-cummings) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/address-call-center-monitoring-discrepancies) ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/Elevance-Health.webp) [Regulation](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/regulation) ### [Avoiding a $190M loss: why just one TTY call matters](https://blog.nextalk.com/one_tty_call) Mar 13, 2024 1:28:31 PM # Elevance sued the federal government for lost Medicare enrollment bonus payments and won a new CMS Star Rating ![Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Cummings.jpeg?width=45&name=Scott%20Cummings.jpeg) [Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/scott-cummings) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/one_tty_call) ![](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/data%20security.png) [Technology](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/technology) ### [Safegaurding Your Call Center: Data Privacy, Security, Accessibility](https://blog.nextalk.com/safegaurding-your-call-center-data-privacy-security-accessibility) Sep 19, 2023 6:00:00 AM > *Security is paramount when integrating third-party technology into a call center environment. NexTalk prioritizes data privacy and security, offering robust encryption...* ![Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Cummings.jpeg?width=45&name=Scott%20Cummings.jpeg) [Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/scott-cummings) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/safegaurding-your-call-center-data-privacy-security-accessibility) ![image of call center full of agents working on ada compliance](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/Canva%20images/Canva%20Design%20DAFuSDGqxms.png) [Regulation](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/regulation) ### [Demystifying ADA Compliance for Call Centers](https://blog.nextalk.com/demystifying-ada-compliance-for-call-centers) Sep 12, 2023 6:21:53 PM In the digital age, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to services is more important than ever. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to guarantee that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. This legislation plays a crucial role in call centers, where communication barriers can hinder service for Deaf people, hard-of-hearing customers, or cognitivly challenged individuals. But what does ADA compliance really mean for call centers? Let's dive deep and demystify ADA compliance in this setting, spotlighting how NexTalk offers a path to seamless integration. ![Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ian.jpeg?width=45&name=ian.jpeg) [Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/ian-thomas) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/demystifying-ada-compliance-for-call-centers) ![Laptop with NexTalk software illustrated on the screen](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/NextalkSoftware-1.png) [Solutions](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/solutions) ### [The Power of Integrating Third-Party TTY Services for Contact Centers](https://blog.nextalk.com/power-of-integrating-third-party-tty-services) Jul 24, 2023 1:12:00 PM ## *Enhancing Accessibility and Customer Experience for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing* In today's customer-centric landscape, contact centers are continually seeking ways to improve accessibility and customer experience. One vital aspect of this endeavor is ensuring that all customers, including those with hearing impairments, can communicate effectively with call center agents. To achieve this goal, call centers may integrate third-party providers specializing in TTY (Teletypewriter) services. Below you can learn the reasons that call centers choose to integrate third-party TTY service software and how this integration enhances accessibility, customer satisfaction, and compliance. ![Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ian.jpeg?width=45&name=ian.jpeg) [Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/ian-thomas) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/power-of-integrating-third-party-tty-services) ![Picture of woman with brown hair in blue shirt smiling as the a doctor wearing a white lab coat and mask looks in the patients ear with an otoscope.](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/hearing-exam-otolaryngologist-doctor-checking-woman-s-ear-using-otoscope-auriscope-medical-clinic.jpg) [Solutions](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/solutions) ### [Building Communication Access Plans in Healthcare](https://blog.nextalk.com/communication-access-plans-in-healthcare) Jul 20, 2023 7:00:00 AM ## *Fostering Inclusive Care for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients* Effective communication lies at the heart of providing quality healthcare services. However, for the millions of Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing, communication barriers in healthcare settings can lead to adverse consequences for their health and well-being. To bridge this gap, healthcare providers must proactively develop communication access plans to ensure effective communication with their deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of planning for effective communication, the steps involved in developing a communication access plan, and the significance of supporting this diverse patient population. ![Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ian.jpeg?width=45&name=ian.jpeg) [Ian Thomas](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/ian-thomas) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/communication-access-plans-in-healthcare) ![NexTalk word mark in blue and green colors adjacent to an AWS marketplace shoping cart. Words on blue background announce that NexTalk is availalbe for purchase on the AWS marketplace.](https://blog.nextalk.com/hubfs/AWS%20MARKETPLACE-2.png) [Technology](https://blog.nextalk.com/tag/technology) ### [NexTalk is now available in the AWS Marketplace](https://blog.nextalk.com/aws-marketplace) Jul 5, 2023 9:41:54 AM *AWS customers can now deploy NexTalk in any call center environment to provide fully integrated TTY, RTT, and speech recognition solutions for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers and agents.* ![Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Cummings.jpeg?width=45&name=Scott%20Cummings.jpeg) [Scott Cummings](https://blog.nextalk.com/author/scott-cummings) [Read More](https://blog.nextalk.com/aws-marketplace) [1](https://blog.nextalk.com) [2](https://blog.nextalk.com/page/2) [3](https://blog.nextalk.com/page/3)