Telecommunication Device Distribution Program - TDDP

On July 6, 1995 , Governor Ridge signed Act 34 of 1994, 35 P.S.§§6701.1, et seq., (Act 34) into law establishing the Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP). On December 9, 2002 , Governor Mark Schweiker signed Act 181 of 2002, which amended Act 34 by expanding the definition of disability(ies) to include any disability that prevents a person from using standard telecommunication equipment.

The TDDP provides specialized telecommunications devices, such as text telephones and amplifiers, and wireless device, at no charge to qualifying persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or are blind or have low vision, or with speech and language disorders, or with a physical disability that prevents them from using standard telecommunication equipment, who have gross incomes of less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Other qualifications that must be met in order to participate in the TDDP include: Pennsylvania residency, qualified disability, must be at least 6 years old, and must have phone service and the ability to learn how to use the telecommunications device. TDDP is implemented by Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), now called TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, in conjunction with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the PUC. The legislation provides that the equipment distributed under the program will be funded through the TRS Fund.

For more information on the TDDP, or to download an application, please visit TechOwl's website. To have an application mailed to you, or to speak with someone regarding the program, you may call Program Manager Laura Grassia at: 800-204-7428 (toll free voice) or 711 (toll free TTY), or email TechOWL@temple.edu.

The mailing address is:

Telecommunication Device Distribution Program
Institute on Disabilities – TechOWL
1301 Cecil B Moore Ave. Riter Annex, 430A
Philadelphia, PA 19122