News

12/5/2008: DDTP and CTAP Welcome Wireless

The Commission launched a Wireless Pilot program in May 2007 to serve low-income customers in the deaf and disabled community.

click here to review two documents that show Communications Division (CD) status reports prepared to monitor the progress of the Pilot program.

11/12/2008: The DDTP Advisory Committees will be interviewing selected candidates for the following Committee seats on Friday, November 14, 2008:

The DDTP Advisory Committees will be interviewing selected candidates for the following Committee seats on Friday, November 14, 2008:

On TADDAC

-Disabled Community Seat

On EPAC

-Deaf Community Seat

-Disabled Community-Blind Seat

-Senior Community

On CRSAC

-Deaf Community Seat

-Late Deafened Community Seat

Members of the public may request the names of the candidates by contacting Karen Evangelista, Committee Coordinator, at (510) 302-1110 or via email at [email protected] .

5/13/2008: 2008 Joint Meeting of the DDTP Committees

The California Public Utilities Commission invites you to attend the 2008 Joint Meeting of the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) Committees: TADDAC, EPAC, and CRSAC. The meeting will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Park Plaza Hotel, 150 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA. This year’s annual meetings will feature Special Guest Speaker, Commissioner Rachelle Chong from the California Public Utilities Commission. Also on the agenda is a panel discussion covering CRS for Deaf-Blind users as well as Deaf and Disabled Access to Emergency Services.

Members of the public may provide input or comments to the Committees on any DDTP-related topic from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Click here for more information about the DDTP Annual Joint Committee Meeting. Download PDF Flyer

2/11/2008: Let Your Fingers Do the Talking… (UPDATE)

Let Your Fingers Do the Talking…

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is launching a pilot program to put Sidekicks (wireless text device) into the hands of low-income Deaf and Hard of Hearing Californians. This pilot is on a limited, first-come first-served basis. If you qualify, the Sidekick is available at no cost, but you would be responsible for any costs associated with your chosen service plan, as well as any costs associated with the maintenance, repair, or replacement of your wireless device.

Interested in participating in the pilot program? It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Live in the Sacramento, Fresno, or Santa Ana area

2. Be CTAP-certified as Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

3. Be a current California Universal LifeLine participant or eligible to qualify for the program.

You may show your eligibility for the program AND qualify for the Sidekick ID during the field trial with one of the following:

Lifeline on Phone Bill

Medicaid/Medi-Cal

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8

Food Stamps

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Healthy Families Category A

National School Lunch's FREE Lunch Program (NSL)

Tribal TANF

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC)

Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

If you meet the criteria listed above, you can apply to participate in the Wireless Technology Pilot Program. For more information or to obtain an application packet, please contact CTAP at 1-866-845-8761 or email [email protected].

For more information on the program, read the Frequently Asked Questions page

To download the application form, Click Here

8/7/2007: Extended Customer Service Hours for California's CapTel subscribers

Effective August 1, 2007, CapTel Customer Service is now available for an additional 2 hours from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Central time which equates to 6:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).

10/2/2006: Calling 711 Just Got Easier!

Here’s all you will need to complete the form:

1. Your phone number (required). If you make CRS calls from more than one phone number, you will need to register for each number separately.

2. Your name (optional).

3. At least one (or both) of the following (required).

a. Preferred relay service provider (choose one): Nordia, Sprint, MCI, or No Preference

b. Type of communication to use (choose one): TTY, Voice, Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Voice Carry Over (VCO), Speech To Speech (STS), ASCII, or No Preference

4. Language (optional): English or Spanish

5. Other options include:

i. Setting up Two-Line VCO including the phone number for the second line.

ii. Asking that your local long distance calls be billed to your carrier of choice

iii. Specifying other preferences in how your conversations are conveyed (For example, requesting the operator to describe background noises or type at a different speed)

iv. Requesting a male or female operator.

To get started today - go to 711 Online Choice Form

7/19/2006: DDTP Consolidated Report

The newly published 2003 – 2005 DDTP Consolidated Annual Report, with Program highlights and advisory committee and financial information, is ready for you to view online.

Click here to read the 2003-2005 Consolidated Annual Report here

1/9/2006: Strategic Plan for Restructure and Placement of the DDTP

The Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee (TADDAC) established an ad hoc administrative contract workgroup (ACW) in January 2005 to develop a strategic plan to restructure the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) and decide the appropriate state entity placement of Program.

For more information, go to this page