Technology Services for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Overview

This page includes two agency programs: VA Relay and the Technology Assistance Program (TAP).

These programs provide access to telecommunication services and assistive technology for Virginia citizens who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech impaired.

The Technology Assistance Program (TAP) makes a variety of assistive devices, including TTYs, amplified telephones, Captioned Telephones, and telephone ring signalers, available to qualified applicants. The program also includes TAPLOAN, which makes devices available to loan to individuals, businesses, and state agencies, and Demonstration Centers that allow people the opportunity to try out a wide variety of equipment before purchase.

VA Relay is Virginia’s telecommunications relay service. It allows consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech disabled to communicate by TTY (text telephone) or another assistive telephone device with anyone who uses a standard phone.