Deaf and Disabled
Telecommunications Program (DDTP)

What is it?
Under the DDTP, the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) is a state-mandated program that provides free telecommunications equipment and services for California individuals certified as having functional limitations of hearing, vision, mobility, speech and/or interpretation of information.
Scroll down for a summary of equipment and services provided.

Who runs it?
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Who pays for it?
The program is funded by a small surcharge that appears on all Californians' telephone bills.

How can I contact the program?
For more information and instructions on ordering any of the following services, click here or call 800-806-1191, 800-806-4474 (TTY).

Hearing Impaired: Hard of Hearing, Deaf or Deafened
For California local phone customers who qualify as being hearing-impaired, the CCTP program can provide the following equipment or services free of charge:

• Amplified telephone to increase volume
• Loud ringer or flashing light device to indicate that the telephone is ringing
• TTY, a telecommunications device with keyboard and visual display for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Three-way calling for use with two-line Voice Carry Over (VCO)
• Flashing or vibrating alert device to indicate that the phone is ringing
• TTY toll discount - provides discounted rates to customers who use a TTY to make and receive telephone calls, as TTY calls generally require longer periods of time to complete a call.

Visually-Impaired or Blind
For California local phone customers who qualify as being visually-impaired, the CCTP program can provide the following equipment or services free of charge:

• Large button phone
• Cordless phone
• Speaker phone
• Speed dialing (stores telephone numbers for memory dialing)
• Speed Calling 8 or 30 - Enables the programming of (8) or (30) frequently dialed numbers into the telephone line. All phones on that telephone line may then be dialed with the touch of two buttons.
• Directory Assistance Exemption - Provides directory assistance at reduced or no cost, within a specified calling area.
• Manual Operator Service - Provides operator-assisted dialing at no additional cost.

Speech-Impaired
For California local phone customers who qualify as being speech-impaired, the CCTP program can provide the following equipment or services free of charge:

• Speech amplifier to increase outgoing voice volume over the phone
• Artificial larynx
• TTY (telecommunication device with keyboard and visual display for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)
• Speech to Speech relay service
• Three-way calling - Enables a customer to talk to two people in two different places at the same time. This is especially helpful for people whose speech is not easily understood by an unknown party on the other end of the call. The speech disabled person may "add-on" a third person, one that is familiar with his/her speech pattern, who may then assist with the call. This service is also available for Two-Line VCO users.
• TTY toll discount - provides discounted rates to customers who use a TTY to make and receive telephone calls, as TTY calls generally require longer periods of time to complete a call.
• Some local telephone companies offer a toll discount to speech disabled customers

Mobility-Impaired
For California local phone customers who qualify as being mobility-impaired, the CCTP program can provide the following equipment or services free of charge:

• Telephone headset
• Speed Calling 8 or 30 - Enables the programming of (8) or (30) frequently dialed numbers into the telephone line. All phones on that telephone line may then be dialed with the touch of two buttons.
• Speakerphone or remote speakerphone for hands-free calls
• Cordless phone
• Speed dialing (stores numbers for memory dialing)
• Directory Assistance Exemption - Provides directory assistance at reduced or no cost, within a specified calling area
• Manual Operator Service - Provides operator-assisted dialing at no additional cost.

Cognitively-Impaired
For California local phone customers who qualify as being speech-impaired, the CCTP program can provide the following equipment or services free of charge:

• Picture phone
• Speed dialing
• Speakerphone with visual display of numbers dialed
• Three-way calling which allows a familiar third party to assist with phone communication.
• Speed Calling 8 or 30 - Enables the programming of (8) or (30) frequently dialed numbers into the telephone line. All phones on that telephone line may then be dialed with the touch of two buttons.
• Directory Assistance Exemption - Provides directory assistance at reduced or no cost, within a specified calling area.

California Relay Service (CRS)
The California Relay Service (CRS) enables a person using a TTY (telecommunication device with keyboard and visual display, for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled) to communicate by phone with a person who does not use a TTY. The service also works in reverse - allowing a non-TTY user to call a TTY user. This service is accessed by dialing 711.