Communication and Speech Support in Grand Rapids, Michigan

People in Grand Rapids who have vision, hearing, speech, or other communication difficulties have access to a wide range of local and national supports. These include assistive technology, interpreting services, relay phone services, and community resources that help make everyday communication easier and safer—especially during Michigan’s long winters, when staying connected is essential.

This guide explains common communication supports, how they work, and where to find help in the Grand Rapids area.

Communication Support Services in Grand Rapids

Relay Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech-Impaired People

In the United States, relay services allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment to make and receive phone calls. These services are especially valuable in West Michigan, where severe weather, icy roads, and winter storms can make phone-based communication critical for safety and healthcare access.

Common relay options include:

  • TTY (Teletypewriter) relay
  • Internet relay
  • Captioned telephone services
  • Video relay services (VRS)
  • Speak & Listen (speech-to-speech) relay
  • SMS / text-based relay

Relay services are typically available 24 hours a day and are either free or provided at no extra cost beyond your normal call or internet charges. Calls are confidential, and relay officers are trained to keep all information private.

For specific relay numbers and options in Michigan, visit:

  • Michigan Public Service Commission – Telecommunications Relay Service
  • FCC Disability Rights Office (national relay information)

If you are in Grand Rapids and need help setting up or using relay services, you can contact:

  • Kent County Health Department – Deaf and Hard of Hearing resources
  • Local hospital social work or patient support services at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

TTY (Teletypewriter) Phones

A TTY (teletypewriter) is a specialized phone with a keyboard and a display screen. It allows you to type your message and read the other person’s response instead of speaking and listening.

How TTY Helps

  • You type your side of the conversation.
  • The other person types back, or a relay officer voices your message to a hearing person and types back their response.
  • You read the conversation on the screen.

TTY phones are still widely used by many deaf and hard of hearing people in Michigan, especially older adults and those in rural areas around the Grand Rapids metro region where internet access may be limited.

Interpreters and Notetakers in Grand Rapids

Sign Language Interpreters

Professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available in the Grand Rapids area and can be provided:

  • In person (on-site at appointments or events)
  • Remotely via secure video remote interpreting (VRI)

ASL interpreters are commonly used for:

  • Medical appointments at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Hospital stays and emergency room visits
  • Mental health counseling and therapy
  • School meetings and parent–teacher conferences (Grand Rapids Public Schools and area districts)
  • College and university classes (e.g., Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College)
  • Job interviews and workplace meetings
  • Court appearances and legal consultations
  • Public events, community meetings, and arts performances in downtown Grand Rapids

When choosing an interpreter, look for:

  • Professional credentials
  • Registration or certification (for example, through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or recognized national accreditation bodies)

You can often request an interpreter directly through:

  • Your doctor’s office or hospital
  • Local disability and deaf services organizations
  • Educational institutions (schools, colleges, training providers)

Notetakers

Notetakers provide a written record of what is said during a meeting, class, or appointment. This is especially useful because a deaf or hard of hearing person who is watching an interpreter cannot take detailed notes at the same time.

Notetakers are particularly helpful in:

  • University and college courses
  • Vocational training programs in West Michigan
  • Workplace training sessions and staff meetings
  • Parent–teacher conferences
  • Workshops and seminars
  • Legal and financial appointments

In Grand Rapids, notetaking support may be arranged through:

  • Disability support offices at local colleges and universities
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
  • Community disability organizations

Personal Assistive Devices for Hearing and Speech

A variety of personal assistive listening and communication devices are available to people in Grand Rapids with hearing loss or speech difficulties.

Devices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Common devices include:

  • Listening/hearing devices
    • Personal voice amplifiers
    • FM systems and loop systems used in churches, theaters, and meeting rooms around Grand Rapids
  • Modified phones
    • Amplified telephones
    • Captioned telephones
    • TTY phones
  • Alerting systems
    • Doorbell and phone signalers with flashing lights or vibrations
    • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with strobe lights or bed shakers (important during winter heating season in Michigan)
    • Alarm clocks with vibration and light

These devices can be especially helpful during snowy, icy winters when closed windows and heating systems may make it harder to hear sounds from outside.

Assistive Technology for Low Vision and Blindness

People in Grand Rapids with low vision or blindness can access a range of low vision aids and assistive technology to support daily communication and independence.

Common Low Vision and Reading Aids

  • Large print materials
    • Large print books and magazines
    • Large print calendars and organizers
  • Alternative formats
    • Braille books and labels
    • Audiobooks and audio newspapers
    • E-book readers with adjustable font sizes and contrast
  • Large and specialty keyboards
    • Keyboards with large, high-contrast letters
    • Keyboards with backlighting (helpful during darker winter months)
  • Large print equipment
    • Calculators with large displays
    • High-contrast clocks and watches

Environmental and Object Detection Devices

  • Light and color detectors
    • Devices that detect and announce the presence and intensity of light
    • Talking color detectors that identify and speak the color of a surface
  • Object readers and scanners
    • Devices and apps that scan and read text aloud (mail, labels, menus, medication bottles)

These tools support safer navigation at home and in the community, which is particularly important during Michigan’s darker, snowier months when visibility is reduced.

Communication Aids and Apps for Speech Difficulties

People in Grand Rapids with speech or other communication impairments—such as those related to stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, autism, or neurological conditions—can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools.

Common Communication Aids

  • Speech-generating devices (SGDs)
    • Dedicated devices that produce spoken words or phrases
  • Communication boards and books
    • Picture-based boards
    • Symbol or text-based communication books
  • Communication software and apps
    • Apps on smartphones, tablets, and computers that:
      • Convert text to speech
      • Use symbols or pictures to build sentences
      • Store frequently used phrases for quick access
  • Voice amplifiers
    • Portable devices that make a soft or weak voice louder and clearer

These tools can be used at home, at school, at work, and during medical appointments at Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics. Many speech-language pathologists in the area can help assess which device or app is best for your needs.

Local Healthcare and Community Support in Grand Rapids

People in the Grand Rapids metro area can access communication and speech support through multiple local providers and agencies.

Major Healthcare Systems

Many large health systems in Grand Rapids provide or coordinate interpreting and communication support services:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health / Trinity Health locations in West Michigan

These hospitals and clinics can often arrange:

  • ASL interpreters
  • Video remote interpreting (VRI)
  • Language interpreters for non-English speakers
  • Communication supports for people with speech or cognitive impairments

Ask for “communication accommodations” or “interpreter services” when you schedule your appointment.

Public Health and Community Resources

Local public health and disability organizations can help you find communication and speech supports:

  • Kent County Health Department
    • Information on local resources for people with disabilities
    • Public health programs and education
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • Support for low-income residents and those without insurance
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
    • Vocational rehabilitation and assistive technology support
  • Local non-profits and disability organizations
    • Support groups, assistive technology lending libraries, and training

Tips for Getting the Right Communication Support in Grand Rapids

  • Ask early: When booking medical, legal, or school appointments, tell them you need an interpreter, notetaker, or assistive device.
  • Discuss your needs clearly:
    • Do you use ASL?
    • Do you prefer captioned calls or video relay?
    • Do you need large print, Braille, or audio materials?
  • Check provider experience: For complex situations (legal, medical, mental health), ask if the interpreter or communication professional has experience in that setting.
  • Use winter-friendly options: During severe West Michigan weather, ask about:
    • Telehealth visits with interpreters
    • Video remote interpreting (VRI)
    • Remote communication apps and online tools

Where to Get Help and More Information

For people living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, consider starting with:

  • Your primary care provider or local hospital
    Ask for a referral to:

    • Audiology
    • Ophthalmology / low vision services
    • Speech-language pathology
    • Rehabilitation and assistive technology services

  • Kent County Health Department
    For local public health resources and disability support information.

  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
    For help with employment, vocational training, and assistive technology.

  • Local disability and deaf services organizations
    For ASL interpreters, notetakers, and communication training.

If you or a family member in Grand Rapids has a hearing, vision, speech, or communication difficulty, these supports can make daily life safer, more independent, and more connected—through every season in West Michigan.