Textphones

You can use a textphone instead of a voice telephone if you are deaf or if you have problems with your speech. Unlike a standard telephone, a textphone has a keyboard and a display screen. Instead of speaking into a telephone mouthpiece, you type what you want to say using the keyboard.

Fax machines

Another way to communicate is to write or draw onto paper and then send it by fax.

Text messages on mobile phones

Mobile phones are used almost as much for texting as for speech. Texting is simple and cheap, but don't rely on it in an emergency.

Email and the Internet

You can also keep in touch by using email or the Internet.