LCD Home > Telecommunications Equipment Program
Telecommunications Equipment Program
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) provides telecommunications equipment and alert systems at no cost to Louisiana residents who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disorder. The equipment can improve the quality of daily communication by allowing users to communicate over the phone and receive alerts through vibration or visual alerts.
Some telecommunications equipment is available to those who qualify through iCanConnect, the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program. This program provides equipment such as Braille devices, computers, and mobile devices to thousand of people who are DeafBlind across the country. Check out their website, iCanConnect.org, to learn what equipment is available, see it you qualify, and more. Visit their Louisiana-specific page to apply to receive equipment.
The types of equipment we provide include the following:
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Amplified & Caption Phones: phones that can amplify a callers voice to over 50dB for people who are hard of hearing. Some can also provide captions for what a caller is saying. |  |
Alert Systems: uses flashing lights and vibration to indicate that the phone is ringing, someone is at the door, alarms, etc. | |
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Text Telephones/Teletypewriter (TTYs): allows for text communication over a landline telephone for people who are d/Deaf. |  |
Personal Alert Devices: wearable devices that use vibration to alert the wearer of events and emergencies. |
Eligibility Requirements
The following are required to receive equipment:
- Documentation of hearing diagnosis, combined hearing and vision diagnosis, or a speech disorder (i.e. an audiogram or a note from your doctor, audiologist, etc.).
- Proof of Louisiana residency.
- Social security card.
- Must be 18 or older to receive equipment. A parent/guardian’s can sign for those under age 18.
Equipment is loaned based on availability and is limited to one per household. Exceptions may be approved by LCD staff. Contact your local Regional Service Center (RSC) for more information.
Accessing Services
To receive telecommunications equipment from LCD, contact your local Regional Service Center (RSC)*. They will verify that you qualify and help you fill out the application.
*Please note that the RSC in Region 9 has permanently closed and Lighthouse Louisiana will temporarily provide services for this area to ensure there is not an interruption in services. Visit our News page for more information.
Apps Guide Information
Many apps exist today that help us make our every day lives a little bit easier. There are apps for communication needs, ASL dictionaries and tutorials, phone / text translation and transcribing, Video Relay Services, games, and more! To find out more, please click here
Regional Service Center Responsibilities
View the Service Provision Manual for the current requirements.
lcd@la.gov | 1-800-256-1523 | (VP): (225) 228-1203 | PO Box 3214, Baton Rouge, LA, 70821