"For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier'

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"For people without disabilities, technology
makes things easier. For people with
disabilities, technology makes things possible.
A program of the Institute on Disabilities at
Temple University
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Free Phones!

• Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Programs
  as Resources for AT

Amy S. Goldman, Associate Director, Institute on
Disabilities at Temple University Sandra
McNally, PA TDDP Program Manager
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What are TEDPs and what do they do?

• Telecommunications Equipment Distribution
  Programs
• Distribute specialized telecommunication
  equipment to individuals with disabilities
• Program operation varies can depend on type of
  program, funding source, program administrator
• National association of TEDPs is called TEDPA
  (www.tedpa.org)

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Loaner programs

• Devices belong to the state
• Recipients must return the devices when they are
  no longer needed (e.g. they move out of state,
  device no longer meets their need, recipient
  passes away)
• Program buys devices in advance and they are kept
  in storage as inventory (usually by the supplier)

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Voucher Programs

• Recipient receives a voucher for a particular
  device or type of device
• Recipient uses voucher to purchase device from a
  designated vendor
• Some programs require recipient to have an
  evaluation at a designated center, where they
  then receive their voucher
• Some programs have demonstration sites where
  applicant tries out equipment first

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Owner Programs

• Devices are ordered by program as needed
• Designated vendors ship devices directly to the
  recipient
• Program is invoiced by vendor after devices are
  delivered (proof of delivery is required)
• Devices are the property of the recipient
• Devices come with a warranty recipient is
  responsible for repairs after warranty expires

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Other Types of Programs

• Voucher for some devices, and lend more expensive
  devices (state retains ownership of loaned
  devices)
• Some devices are loaned (if applicant is low
  income) and remain the property of the state,
  otherwise devices are sold at low cost (called
  cost share) and become the recipients property

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Common Threads

• All require
• Proof of residency
• Proof of telephone service
• Proof of disability (certification by a licensed
  professional)

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Differences

• Device replacement ranges from 3 to 5 years
• Funding
• Program administrator
• Income requirement
• Repairs
• Device selection varies

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TYPES OF DEVICESA SAMPLING

• TTY
• VCO
• HCO
• CapTel

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DEVICES (contd)

• Amplified phones
• Amplifiers

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DEVICES (contd)

• Deaf Blind
• Hands Free
• Headset phone
• Emergency dialer
• Emergency phone
• Photo phone

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DEVICES (contd)

• Voice amplifiers
• Fluency system
• Electrolarynx
• SGDs
• and more.

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Accessories / Signalers

• Silhouettes
• Neck loop
• Headsets
• Amplified handset
• Ear buff
• Filter suppressor (DSL)
• Whistle Stop handset

• Loud ringers
• Flashing light signaler
• Lamp signaler
• Vibrating signaler
• Alertmaster system

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Some Surprises!

• D-Link (connects to TV for video relay calls)
• Video phones (internet or desktop stand-alone
• Hearing aids with t-coils
• Cell phone amplifier
• PDA phones and cell phones

• Computer (basic new or used) with software so
  that computer is used to answer phone in place of
  a TTY
• Emergency one-way pagers

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TEDP and the AT Act Programs

• TEDP can be a state financing activity under
  the AT Act, where the AT Act program administers
  the TEDP
• AT Act funds may NOT purchase equipment for
  individuals
• A perfect fit with required state level
  activities demonstration, device lending, state
  financing, reutilization

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The PA Experience

• 1993-5 PIAT learns of a bill to establish a
  TEDP joins the advocacy efforts to pass the law
• 1995 Act 34 of 1995 establishes the PA
  Telecommunication Device Distribution Program
  (TDDP) PIAT serves on advisory committee to
  the SILC. Eligible disabilities limited to
  hearing, speech, deaf-blind admin and consumer
  outreach components

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The PA Experience

• 1995 (ongoing) PIAT begins promotion of the
  program to increase consumer acquisition of
  telecommunications equipment
• 1997 (ongoing) PIAT obtains state funding for
  device lending inventory includes equipment that
  is available through the TDDP

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The PA Experience

• 2001- PIAT approaches initial sponsor to expand
  the definition of eligible disabilities
• 2002 Act 181 of 2004 signed into law, expands
  program to cover eligible individuals with any
  disability

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The PA Experience

• 2003 As a result of PIATs advocacy, OVR
  reconvenes an advisory committee PIAT chairs
  equipment committee.
• 2004 OVR re-competes administration of the
  program. PIAT succeeds, but award is contested
• January 1, 2007 PIAT begins administration of
  the program

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Program Funding

• Administration OVR funding at 83,000
• Administration PIAT funding approximately
  50,000 (state financing)
• Consumer Education and Outreach PUC funding
  approximately 120,000 includes subcontracts to
  ATRCs for consumer education and outreach

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TDDP and Device Demonstrations

• Demonstrations and/or device loans encouraged
  (but not required), in order to make good
  decisions (especially with no exchange policy).
• Demonstrations conducted by regional ATRCs,
  either demo center or demo to go also partner
  agencies (e.g. CHAD) and (optional) volunteer
  centers.

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TDDP and Device Demonstrations

• 2007 PIAT federal funds purchase demo equipment
  for regional centers
• 2008 PIAT obtains PUC approval to use TDDP
  consumer outreach funds to purchase additional
  demo equipment for regional centers

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TDDP and Device Lending

• 2007 PIAT federal funds purchase additional
  inventory for AT Lending Library
• 2008 PIAT obtains PUC approval to use TDDP
  consumer outreach funds to purchase additional
  equipment for centralized inventory of AT Lending
  Library ATRCs receive additional equipment to
  facilitate direct loans to consumers

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TDDP and Reutilization

• Equipment is tagged by our largest vendor with
  a label encouraging return of the equipment when
  no longer needed
• Enables us to fix problems when wrong equipment
  is ordered
• Resource for ineligible applicants

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TDDP and State Leadership Activities

• Public awareness and outreach
• Training e.g. training volunteer centers in
  equipment operation
• Collaboration e.g. with other stakeholders,
  including Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard
  of Hearing

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FOR INFORMATION contact PIAT - Pennsylvanias
Initiative on Assistive Technology 1601
N. Broad Street USB 404Philadelphia, PA
19122 Tel [phone] (voice)
866-268-0579 (TTY) Fax [phone] Email
ATinfo_at_temple.edu Web http//disabilities.templ
e.edu/piat
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