TTY Equipment for Nonprofit Agencies

Nonprofit agencies, California state agencies, and schools may be eligible to request TTYs at no cost. Read how to qualify.

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TTY Equipment for Nonprofit Agencies
Nonprofit agencies are eligible for a TTY at no charge when at least ten percent of the people they serve are deaf or hard of hearing and the agency needs to be accessible by telephone to customers who use a TTY. Please note: TTYs are the only equipment available to nonprofit agencies.

TTY Equipment for California State Agencies and Schools
California state agencies and schools may be eligible for a TTY at no cost if they meet certain criteria. Please note: TTYs are the only equipment available to state agencies and schools.

Nonprofit agencies must be private and not tax supported to qualify to receive a TTY from California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) at no cost.

Hospitals, hotels, police and fire departments, and nonprofit organizations and agencies funded by federal, city, and/or county government funds are not eligible to receive a TTY from the program. Some school programs may be eligible to receive TTY equipment from the Program.

How Nonprofits Apply for TTY

If you believe your nonprofit agency is eligible for a TTY at no cost, please send a letter on the organization’s letterhead with the following information:

Type of organization, e.g., 501 (c) (3).
Source(s) of funding.
Number of TTYs you are requesting to serve consumers who use a TTY.
Justification for the number of TTYs requested.
If the organization is under contract with the Department of Social Services or the Department of Rehabilitation, provide documentation of such contract.
If the organization is a nonprofit agency and tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3), provide the tax-exempt number.
Approximate number of deaf or hard of hearing clients and a description of the services your agency provides for them.
Approximate percentage of clients who are deaf or hard of hearing as part of the total population served by your agency.
Number of your agency’s staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Name, title, and telephone number of the person who will be responsible for keeping track of the TTY equipment and ensuring it is maintained in good working order.

Mail the letter to:

DDTP/CTAP Consumer Affairs
ATTN: Consumer Affairs Supervisor
P.O. Box 71177
Oakland, CA 94612

FAX: 1-510-268-4758

You should receive a response within five business days after receipt of your request.

TTY Equipment for California State Agencies and Schools

California state agencies and schools may be eligible to request TTYs at no cost. To be eligible the agency or school must be at least one of the following:

California state agency with general public contact, approximately ten percent of whom use TTYs.
Public school/college/university that can demonstrate that their request goes beyond an obligation to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.)
Day or residential school for the deaf.
School that has a program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How State Agencies and Schools Apply for TTYs

If you believe your California state agency or school is eligible for a TTY at no cost, please send a letter on the organization's letterhead with the following information:

Type of organization, e.g., 501 (c) (3).
Source(s) of funding.
Number of TTYs you are requesting to serve consumers who use a TTY.
Justification for the number of TTYs requested.
Approximate number of deaf or hard of hearing clients, and a description of the services your agency provides for them.
Approximate percentage of clients who are deaf or hard of hearing as part of the total population served by your agency or school.
Number of your agency or school’s staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.
If the organization is a school, describe the supplementary educational program designed specifically for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Name, title, and telephone number of the person who will be responsible for keeping track of the TTY equipment and ensuring it is maintained in good working order.

Mail the letter to:

DDTP/CTAP Consumer Affairs
Attn: Consumer Affairs Supervisor
P.O. Box 71177
Oakland, California 94612

FAX: 1-510-268-5785

You should receive a response within five business days after receipt of your request.

For further information please contact:

DDTP/CTAP Consumer Affairs
Attn: Consumer Affairs Supervisor
P.O. Box 71177

Voice: 1-877-546-7414

TTY: 1-800-867-4323

Email: consumeraffairs@ddtp.org