Keep in mind that (in case you don't know) with the Compact, in addition to using it connected to a TTY compatible Cell phone, you can also use it with a standard phone (landline) - using the acoustic cups (thus saving a TON of air time!!) I'm not sure if the Compact C cable could also be plugged into the "headset" (headphone jack) on some of the cordless phones or not ... might be worth looking into!!
I used to have a Compact (pre "Compact C") that I would put in my bag and take to work, or when I went out because it allowed me to use any "hearing phone" as a TTY.
I ended up lending it to someone and never got it back ... *shrug*
With most of my Hoh/Deaf and hearing friends, we use instant messenger programs (Yahoo, Gtalk, MSN, AIM, etc) on the computer (and cells) to chat. I've found that even those who are very computer illiterate are able to figure out how to use the Instant Messenger Program(s) and pretty soon they are very very comfortable with them (If my mum can figure it out, anyone can!!).
Provided they have a computer connected to the internet (even just dial-up!) tyring an instant messenger might be something that you may want to mention to them. It has the added bonus that, provided you have a phone capable of IMs - you'd be able to chat from your cell if you where away from home (you could use it like "visual voice mail" - if you aren't there they can "leave a message" and then when you are able to return the "message"/call you either message them back , or call them on the TTY
The added bonus is that is they have an email address from: MSN/Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail or AOL, they already have what they need to use the instant messenger program - in fact Yahoo, Gmail, and AOL have it set up that if you log in (your username/email address) you can use a website-based Instant messenger, so they wouldn't even have to download or install anything to "try it"! (of course if they like it, or think they could learn to like it, downloading the stand alone program IS better).
Just an idea!!
I wish someone would make a cell phone with a big (at least the size of a netbook) keyboard and screen! Then we wouldn't need the TTY. But I like the machine so far. Also it took some getting used to but, I like that there is no buffer with a TTY, no "send" command, so the person I'm talking to sees every letter as I type it.
