Technology Assistance Program (TAP) for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Technology Assistance Program (TAP) provides adaptive telecommunication equipment to qualified applicants whose hearing loss or disabilities prevent them from using a standard telephone. Applicants must be a resident of Virginia and meet current financial guidelines.

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.

Assistive devices available are: TTY's (text telephones), Amplified telephones, Voice Carry Over phones, Captioning telephones, outgoing speech amplifier phones, signalers for the phone and door, hearing carry over phones and other devices by special request.

Outreach Providers working with the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can provide you additional information. Training on use of the equipment is available. TAP participants can apply for new equipment every four years.