Technology Assistance Program (TAP), Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech Disability

Access Independence, Inc. (AI) is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living offering a Technology Assistance program. The Technology Assistance Program (TAP) provides adaptive telecommunication equipment to qualified applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech disabled preventing them from using a standard telephone. Applicants must be a Virginia resident and meet income eligibility requirements that are based on household income and family size. While there are no age restrictions, all applications from minors must be co-signed by a parent or legal guardian.



Equipment is provided to qualified individuals on a Loan-to-Own (L2O) basis. This gives qualified recipients up to 30 days to decide whether to keep, exchange, or return the equipment. If following the 30-day period, the recipient feels the device enables him or her to successfully communicate over the phone, he or she retains ownership of the device. Training on use of the equipment is available. TAP participants can apply for new equipment every four years. Virginia Veterans with a hearing or speech loss and have documentation of their Honorable Discharge (form DD-214) automatically qualify for TAP equipment at no cost. 



Assistive devices available are:

• TTY’s (text telephones)
• Amplified telephones
• Voice Carry Over (VCO) phones
• CapTel®, captioning telephones
• Outgoing speech amplifier phones
• Signalers for the phone and door
• Hearing Carry Over (HCO) phones
• Other devices available by special request.
  If you would like a demonstration of the TAP devices, please call or email Donna Day at 540-931-9124 (videophone) or 540-722-4834 (CapTel) or email dday@accessindependence.org to set up a time.  Reminder: Veterans will automatically receive any of devices available free of charge.  Clients can apply for devices either free or at reduced cost.