The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Friday, November 2, 2012
Military veterans living with a hearing or speech loss are now automatically eligible for telecommunications equipment through Virginia's Technology Assistance Program (TAP).
Adaptive telecommunications equipment, including text telephones (TTY), captioned telephones (CapTel) and other devices, are available to individuals who meet the following qualifications:
•A veteran with a hearing or speech loss and proof of an Honorable Discharge.
•A veteran with a hearing or speech loss and documentation of a service-related disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
•A surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty and has a hearing or speech loss.
•An active member of the Virginia National Guard who has completed the required initial active-duty service.
"I am pleased to announce that veterans living in Virginia with a hearing or speech loss are now automatically eligible for telecommunications equipment through Virginia's Technology Assistance Program," said Gov. Bob McDonnell. "I urge all eligible Virginia veterans to learn more about this new program to help reduce communications barriers."
"Our veterans have dedicated their lives to protecting our way of life, and now through our Technology Assistance Program, we are honoring their service by offering veterans with a hearing or speech loss adaptive telecommunications equipment," said Ron Lanier, director of the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH). "Our goal is to make daily life easier for Virginia's veterans living with a hearing or speech loss by helping them to stay connected with their family, friends and employers, as well as their grateful community."
The U.S. Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence estimates 60 percent of veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq have hearing loss as a result of their military service, according to Paul Galanti, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. "This new benefit will help provide these men and women with the tools necessary to adapt to this loss."
TAP provides telecommunications equipment to all qualified applicants whose disabilities prevent them from using a standard telephone. To qualify for the program, individuals must be deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled. Applicants must also be Virginia residents and meet income eligibility requirements that are based on household income and family size. There are no age restrictions; however, applications from minors must be co-signed by a parent or legal guardian.
To learn more about VDDHH, Virginia Relay and TAP for veterans, call 1-800-552-7917 or visit www.vddhh.org.
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