Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
DDTP Fact Sheet
The CPUC, in compliance with Public Utilities Code § 2881, implemented a program to provide telecommunications devices to deaf or hearing impaired consumers. Subsequent legislation expanded DDTP to serve California individuals with hearing, vision, speech, cognitive and mobility disabilities. This program, now called the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), has three components: a dual party relay system known as California Relay Service (CRS), a specialized equipment program known as California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), and the provision of Speech Generating Devices. The DDTP fulfills the mandated functions listed below.
Legislation
|
Description
|
| PU Code Section 2881(a), (1979) |
Provides telecommunication devices to certified deaf and severely hearing impaired users. |
| PU Code Section 2881(b), California Relay Service (added 1983) |
Provides a dual party relay system, now called the California Relay Service (CRS), to connect TTY users with any other telephone user. The California Relay Service (CRS) uses third-party intervention to provide 24-hour contact with any other telephone subscriber. |
| PU Code Section 2881(c), Supplemental Telecommunications Devices for the Disabled (added 1985) |
Provides specialized telecommunications equipment to individuals certified with hearing, vision, speech, cognitive, and mobility disabilities through the California Telephone Program (CTAP). Examples of this equipment are amplifying devices, telephone ringer signals, speakerphones, and cordless phones. |
| PU Code Sections 2881(d) and 2881(e)(1), Speech Generating Devices (added 2011) |
Expanded the Program to provide Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) as a funder of last resort and added Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) as DDTP certifying agents. |
DDTP is administered and operated by the Commission with advisory input from two consumer advisory boards: Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee (TADDAC) and Equipment Program Advisory Committee (EPAC). Program services and equipment are provided by vendors under contract to the CPUC. The DDTP Administrative Contractor, California Communications Access Foundation (CCAF), is charged with the overall day-to-day operation of the Program.
For available services, please visit the DDTP website. To apply to receive specialized telecommunications equipment through the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), visit the California Phones website or call 1-800-806-1191 (Voice)/1-800-806-4474 (TTY). For more information about the DDTP’s provisioning of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) visit the SGD webpage.
DDTP is funded by an all-end-user surcharge on landline and wireless phone bills, i.e., the California Relay Service and Communications Device Fund (CRSCDF) surcharge. This all-end-user surcharge is billed and collected by telecommunications carriers, which in turn, remit the surcharge monies to a financial institution as directed by the Commission or its representatives.
2016-2017 DDTP Annual Report
2015-2016 DDTP Annual Report
2014-2015 DDTP Annual Report
Questions about this program should be directed to Alan Solomon (ahs@cpuc.ca.gov).
Additional Resources