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Deaf And Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)

The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a California State mandated program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The DDTP has two components: The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) which provides assistive telephone devices, and the California Relay Service (CRS). The programs are funded by a nominal surcharge on all telephone bills in the state. This surcharge appears on bills as "CA Relay Service and Communications Devices Fund." Click here to learn more about DDTP.

California Telephone Access Program (CTAP)

The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) distributes telecommunications equipment and services for individuals certified as having functional limitations of hearing, vision, mobility, speech and/or interpretation of information. Click here to learn more about CTAP.

California Relay Service (CRS)

California Relay Service (CRS) provides specially-trained operators to relay telephone conversations back and forth between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled and all those they wish to communicate with by telephone. Click here to learn more about CRS.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

State legislation was passed requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement a program to distribute telecommunications equipment and services for individuals certified as having functional limitations of hearing, vision, movement, manipulation, speech and/or interpretation of information. Click here to learn more about CPUC.

In compliance with Public Utilities Code § 2881 , the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) implemented three telecommunications programs for California residents who have functional limitations affecting their ability to use a standard telephone. These three programs are collectively known as the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP). The numbers of the enabling legislation that commonly identify these three programs are:

• Senate Bill 597 (1979), Assembly Bill 3369 (1984) and Senate Bill 227 (1984)
  Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf
• Senate Bill 244 (1983) California Relay Service
• Senate Bill 60 (1985) Supplemental Telecommunications Devices for the Disabled