At NATCO, we are dedicated to ensuring customers of all abilities have the equipment and services necessary to communicate effectively. If you are having difficulty using your current equipment or are having trouble utilizing a communication service, please contact NATCO Customer Service for assistance. NATCO has programs in place to make communicating easier!

Arkansas Relay Service, Inc.

Arkansas Relay Service (ARS) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the hearing-impaired. There is no extra charge for using ARS. Do not call ARS for emergency help unless you cannot reach 911.

Dial 711 (available nationwide) or
Voice: 1-800-285-1121
TDD/TTY: 1-800-285-1131
ARS Customer Service: 1-800-285-7192

Customers with Disabilities
Communication Services for Customers with Disabilities

Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers to ensure that their services and equipment are accessible to individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable. In 2007, the Commission adopted rules to extend these accessibility obligations to interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service providers and equipment, services and equipment offered in interstate commerce after October 8, 2013, must be accessible, unless doing so is not achievable.

On April 26, 2013, the Commission adopted rules to implement Section 718 of the Communications Act. Since October 8, 2013, manufacturers of telephones used with public mobile services and providers of mobile service have been required to ensure that the functions of the Internet browser that they include or arrange to be included in such telephones are accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment, unless doing so is not achievable.

In NATCO's ongoing efforts to ensure our services and equipment are accessible to individuals with disabilities, we:

• Maintain our website www.natconet.com with multiple options for NATCO customers to access information available regarding communications for customers with disabilities.
• Include information on accessibility in our e-newsletter and other digital customer communications several times each year.
• Have the latest accessibility information available for each Customer Service Representative for quick reference, in addition to web page access.
• Contact local organizations (Marion & Boone Counties) assisting or representing individuals with hearing, vision, movement, manipulative, speech, cognitive & other common disabilities to request their advice. We work cooperatively with them to explore ways to improve access to covered services.
• Invite customers with disabilities that respond to the survey and agree to be contacted regarding accessibility issues to participate in any surveys, pilot demonstrations, service trials, or tests that are conducted by NATCO for new products or services.
• Provide information in the Ozark Regional Telephone Directory regarding communications-related services and programs for persons with disabilities.

Should you have accessibility issues with NATCO's services or equipment, please contact our Customer Service representatives at 1-800-775-6682. For the hearing-impaired, Arkansas Relay Service (ARS) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no extra charge for using ARS.

Dial 711 (available nationwide) or
Voice: 1-800-285-1121
TDD/TTY: 1-800-285-1131
ARS Customer Service: 1-800-285-7192

Additional Telecommunications Accessibility Contacts:

United States Access Board – Telecommunications Section

Web: www.access-board.gov
Phone: 800-872-2253 (voice) or 800-993-2822 (TTY)
Email: 508@access-board.gov
Fax: 202-272-0081
Mail: Office of Technical and Information Services
1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111

Federal Communications Commission – Disability Section

Web: www.fcc.gov/disability
Phone: 1-888-225-5322
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
Email: fccinfo@fcc.gov

Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association

Web: https://www.tedpaconference.org/

State Telecommunications Relay Service Information

Web: www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/trs-state-and-territories

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

Web: www.icanconnect.org
Phone: 800-825-4595
TTY: 888-320-2656

If you, or someone in your household, has a hearing, vision, movement, manipulative, speech, cognitive, or similar disability, we invite you to provide information and suggestions using the PDF online form. Through the information you provide we can better address the needs of our customers with disabilities and improve the telecommunications services we offer.

Telecommunications Service Accessibility Survey

Hearing Aid Capability
At NATCO, we understand that your phone can be a lifeline to your friends and family. And if you utilize a hearing aid, you need the most compatible device possible. So we offer numerous phones that meet your specific needs. If you have any additional questions, please stop by our offices at 301 East Main Street in Flippin or call (870) 453-8800 or toll-free 1-800-775-6682.

Background
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has wireless handset hearing aid compatibility requirements. These requirements deal with handset operations near hearing aids which operate in either acoustic coupling or inductive coupling mode.

Hearing aids operating in acoustic coupling mode receive and amplify all signals, such as a telephone audio signal, as well as unwanted ambient noise. Hearing aids operating in inductive coupling mode avoid amplifying unwanted ambient noise by turning off the microphone and using a telecoil to receive only audio signal based magnetic fields generated by telecoil compatible telephones.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established technical standards to measure wireless phone handsets for "compatibility" with acoustic and inductive hearing aids and have been adopted by the FCC. These standards are known as Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) ratings.

An "M" rating measures compatibility with acoustic hearing aids while a "T" rating measures compatibility with induction hearing aids. Generally, handsets rated "M3" or "T3" by ANSI or better are considered compliant with FCC requirements.

Acoustic Hearing Aids
M3 – rating indicates the handset has satisfied the ANSI standard
M4 – rating indicated the handset has exceeded the ANSI standard

Induction Hearing Aids
T3 – rating indicates the handset has satisfied the ANSI standard
T4 – rating indicated the handset has exceeded the ANSI standard

The handsets currently stocked by NATCO include:

• HTC Rhyme 6330
• Samsung U320

Our stocked handsets vary from time to time. Other handsets are available by special order. NATCO will provide the compatibility rating for any available handset on request.