Contact DHS

Division of Aging and
Adult Services
PO Box 1437
Slot 1412
Little Rock AR 72203

by John Wyvill Commissioner Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Guest Columnist

This column appears in the August 2001 edition of Aging Arkansas,
a publication of the Arkansas Aging Foundation and the
DHS Division of Aging and Adult Services

Recently in Aging Arkansas you read about the Arkansas Speech to Speech Relay (STS) service that permits telephone communications access for persons who have difficulty hearing or who have another disability that prohibits normal communications. [Since this article was published, updated information on STS has become available. Please click here to find out more about STS.] Through the STS service, a third party relays the information from the person with a disability to the other party. It's a great program, but some obvious questions come to mind. How does the person with a disability communicate with the STS system operator? What is the technology that permits this communication, and how can the person with a disability get their hands on it? How does a person with a severe physical disability use the telephone?

The answer to these questions is the Telecommunications Access Program or TAP, a state program operated through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. This program will provide the adaptive telecommunications equipment necessary for persons with a disability who meet the eligibility criteria. The upper income limit for program eligibility is $45,000. For those whose income is over the limit, the devices can be purchased for one third of the cost.

The TAP program has been in existence since 1995 and has provided over 5,000 pieces of equipment, primarily text telephones (TTYs), telephone signaling systems and amplified telephones, to Arkansans with disabilities. The program was originally implemented to serve those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech impairment, but no more. This summer, the program's services will be available to all Arkansans with a disability that prevents them from accessing the phone system.

Technology has literally exploded in the past few years with hundreds of new products available to help you communicate just like everyone else. Items now on the market are hands-free and voice operated telephones, better amplified phones and a host of other devices.

So how do you know which piece of technology is right for you? Arkansas Rehabilitation Services has the answer for that one, too. The Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) can provide you with all the information you need to identify the appropriate device. Many are even available for demonstration purposes, so you can try out several to see which one works best for you. Once it has been determined which device best meets your need, TAP staff will work with you to secure it. TAP's services are provided at no charge.

There are many reasons for taking advantage of the new technology. One elderly lady in rural Southeast Arkansas uses the technology to maintain her independence. She is deaf and her family worries about her, to the point they are considering a nursing home. With a TTY, they can call and check on her at any time and assure themselves she's all right. They're also relieved that she can call them, too, and it's comforting to know she can call an ambulance, friend or police if the need arises.

On a lighter note, a 17-year-old young man in NW Arkansas recently got a device through TAP. Now he can communicate with his girl friends and arrange dates. Previously, his sister had to relay the messages for him and you know that had to put a damper on the conversations. Sometimes privacy is important and there are some things you'd just as soon even the STS operator didn't hear (even though they will carefully guard your privacy in every instance).

TAP is a state-operated program supported by your tax dollars. You can contact them by writing or calling the number/address below:

Telecommunications Access Program
4601 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
(501) 686-9693 (Voice or TDD)
(501) 686-9694 (TDD)
(800) 981-4463 (Voice/TDD)

And don't forget the Arkansas Speech to Speech Relay services access number is 866-656-9823. With the services of Arkansas Speech to Speech Relay services and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, there's no reason for you not to enjoy full telecommunications access regardless of your disability.

For additional information, be sure to visit Arkansas Rehabilitation Services' website at www.arsinfo.org.

Also, click here for an STS fact sheet.