The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (KCDHH) Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) provides residents of Kentucky, who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or have both a hearing and vision loss, with landline or wireless equipment to make communication on the telephone more accessible. If you know of an individual who is living with a hearing loss and who struggles on the phone, please request an application to see if they are eligible for equipment at no cost to them.

In 1994, KCDHH worked closely with the General Assembly to pass legislation that would provide specialized telecommunications equipment at no charge to deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or Deaf-Blind Kentucky residents. Kentucky became the 24th state to implement a Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) in 1995. The program is funded by a small surcharge on all telecommunication access lines throughout the state.

TAP and the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) together provide equal access to the telephone for all Kentuckians. Hamilton Relay is Kentucky’s current Relay Service Provider and other National Relay Services are available throughout America.