Roberta Smith, outreach specialist with the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), is the featured speaker for the February 12 meeting of Hearing Loss Association, Long Beach. Smith will be speaking on “Amazing Phones: Free!” for people who have difficulty hearing, seeing, moving, speaking, or remembering. She is also hard of hearing herself and shares many of the same experiences that the members have experienced.
CTAP is a state program with no cost, obligation or income requirement. These specialized phones are provided free to California residents who have existing residential phone services. Users need only complete an easy certification form and obtain a doctor’s signature to receive these phones. For more information, call 1-800-806-1191 or www.ddtp.org.
Three easy steps are all it takes to enjoy the CTAP specialized phones: fill out part 1 on the form; have a doctor fill out Part 2; and mail or fax signed form to CTAP. Some features of the phones include: turn up the volume, make dialing easier, allow hands-free operation, flash incoming calls, display conversation in text, and remember numbers.
Hearing Loss Association, Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter is a support group offering education on coping skills and resources to help survive in a hearing world. HLA meets at 6:30pm on the second Thursday of each month at the Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Oliva Avenue in Lakewood. Admission is free. No reservations are necessary. Call for information at (562) 433-6509 or visit www.HLAlongbeachlakewood.org.
