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Phone programs aid independence
The phone rings and it’s not answered. Or it
rings, but the person receiving the call isn’t
hearing all the information being shared.
These are problems that often crop up in older
ears. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division’s
(DHHSD) Telephone Equipment Distribution Program
(TED), alleviates these situations.
The TED Program helps to make available, at no
cost, telephone equipment that helps to overcome a
hearing loss on the phone. Those who qualify for the
assistance get the equipment loaned to them free of
charge. When their circumstances change, or they
move out of Minnesota, the equipment is returned to
be loaned to another person.
The qualification criteria are quite broad.
People must:
• Be a Minnesota resident.
• Have a hearing, speech or mobility
impairment.
• Have existing phone service in their home.
• Have an annual income below the program’s
income guidelines ($36, 688 for individuals; $47,
976 for couples).
After eligibility is established, a TED program
specialist will assess what type of equipment will
meet the applicant’s needs. Examples of equipment
distributed include but are not limited to:
• Phones that make the voice you hear louder.
• Devices that make the ring louder or make a
light flash when the phone rings.
• Voice Carry Over (VCO) phones that enables a
user to read the callers words on a screen and
respond by using their own voice.
• Hands-free speaker phones for people who have
difficulty holding a handset or dialing out.
• TTY’s for deaf or speech impaired callers.
In addition to providing equipment to those who
are eligible, the TED Program also provides training
on how to install and use the equipment received, as
well as equipment maintenance and repair.
TED staff members receive a lot of positive
feedback from recipients of the equipment. Ease of
telephone usage allows people to be more
independent, feel more secure, depend on family
members less, and to socialize more freely with
family and friends.
Those wanting to learn more about TED can call
1-800-657-3663, e-mail [email protected],
visit the Web site at www.tedprogram.org
or write to the TED Program, 444 Lafayette Rd. N.,
St. Paul, MN 55155-3814. Staff can also be contacted
to set up informational presentations by calling the
number listed above.
In addition to the TED Program, the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing Services Division (DHHSD) offers other
services including:
• Individualized assistance with problem
solving related to hearing loss.
• Information and referral.
• Consultation with other agencies.
• Sensitivity and awareness training.
• A resource and equipment demonstration lab.
• Community-based mental health, deafblind, and
interpreter referral services provided through grant
contracts.
To find out more about these services, call
(651-297-1316 (voice) or 651-297-1313 (TTY) or visit
www.dhhsd.org.
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