The Deaf & Disabled Telecommunications Program

The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a state-mandated program to provide specialized telecommunications equipment and services to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and people with disabilities in California. The DDTP is comprised of the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), which provides the specialized equipment, and the California Relay Service (CRS).

CTAP

CTAP provides specialized equipment to anyone in California whose disability prevents them from using a standard telephone. The equipment includes amplified telephones, big button telephones, cordless telephones, speakerphones, TTYs, VCO phones, captioned telephones, and more. Consumers complete a brief application form and obtain the signature of an authorized certifying agent in order to obtain the equipment, which is provided on loan to consumers for as long as the equipment is needed. Consumers may visit any of CTAP’s 12 Service Centers statewide to try out the equipment.

CRS

CRS is a federally compliant telecommunications relay service which enables a person using a TTY or a text-based telecommunications device to place a telephone call real-time to anyone else. The TTY-user dials a toll free number to reach a Communications Assistant who relays the text portion of the call to the voice user and relays the spoken portion of the call back to the TTY user.

For more information about the DDTP, please visit the Program’s website at www.ddtp.org.