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Show Office to Aid Deaf Opened by Ma Bell Mountain Bell has opened a reigonal operator office on June 29 to handle calls from certified deaf, hearing-and speech-impaired people who communicate by using a teleprinter. The calls will be placed through the regional center in Oakland, California. The center is one of four opened by the Bell System to provide teleprinter users the capability to place collect credit card and other operator-assisted calls including calls to directory assistance. These customers previously have been unable to place such calls. The toll-free number may also be used for after-hours business office and repair service calls. The disabled customer will reach a Bell System operator in Oakland by using a toll free number, 1 800 855-1155. The operator will place the call or give assistance as directed by the teleprinter user. The regular long distance rates for Utah or interstate calls will apply. Providing operator services to teleprinter users is part of an effort by Mountain Bell and the Bell System to assist disabled people with their communications needs. Mountain Bell recently opened a special center' in Colorado to help these customers with their telephone equipment and other telephone service-related matters. In addition, Mountain Bell is committed to make all public telephones compatible with hearing aids by the end of this year. Presently approximately 90 percent of the public telephones are 'now compatible. |