Hearing-disabled to get one-day local assistance to acquire amplified phones

[OCT. 5, 2006]  Amplified telephones are now available for the hard of hearing and hearing-impaired. Through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp., representatives from Springfield Center for Independent Living will be in Lincoln on Oct 17 at the Logan County Health Department.

ITAC programs are required and governed by Illinois law. Illinois law requires all local exchange carriers to provide telecommunication access for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech-disabled.

Please come and try out these telephones. They are free.

Requirements are:

• Legal resident of Illinois.

• Have a regular telephone service in residence.

• Certified by family physician or registered audiologist as unable to use a standard telephone.

People interested should call the Logan County Health Department at 217-735-2317 for an appointment. Callers will be asked to stop by and pick up an application packet to be filled out prior to their appointment time.

On the day of testing these telephones, applicants will need to bring the completed application along with a copy of their driver's license photo or photo ID and a telephone bill, as instructed in the information packet.

Any questions should be directed to the ITAC office in Springfield, 1-800-841-6187.

[Provided by Jonie Tibbs]