Equipment Distribution Program

	The Minnesota Equipment Distribution Program (EDP) IS A Telecommunications Access for Communication Impaired Persons (TACIP) program funded with telephone surcharge funds and provided under contract by the Minnesota Department of Human ServicesЕ.Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.
Program Information: (V) 1-800-657-3663 (TTY) 1-800-657-3513	TACIP Administration: (V) 1-800-657-3599 (TTY) 1-800-657-3603
The Equipment Distribution Program (EDP) assists persons with hearing, speech, or mobility impairment to use the telephone.	No-cost special equipment may be provided to help access the telephone system. To be eligible for EDP a person must:
Have a hearing loss, or speech or mobility impairment that impedes the use of a standard telephone; and Be a Minnesota resident; and Have phone service in their home, or have applied for phone service; and Have a family income equal to or below the state median income.	Income Guidelines # in Family Annual Gross Income 1ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ$28,286 2ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕЕ$36,989 3ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕ$45,693 4ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕ$54,396 Income guidelines are adjusted annually. Those above are effective October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998.

Regional Service Centers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Metro RSC

Metro Square Annex

130 East 7^th St.

St. Paul, MN 55101

612/297-1507 Voice

612/296-9306 TTY

612/215-6388 FAX

Northwest RSC

48 1/2 East Dr., Ste. 2

Fergus Falls, MN 56537

218/739-7589 Voice

218/739-7592 TTY

218/739-7309 FAX

Southwest RSC

Phelps Hall - 2^nd Floor

St. Peter Regional Treatment Center

100 Freeman Dr.

St. Peter, MN 56082

507/931-7578 Voice/TTY

507/931-7573 FAX

East/West Central RSC

Midtown Square

3333 West Division St., Suite 209

St. Cloud, MN 56301

320/255-3707 Voice

320/255-3590 TTY

320/654-5157 FAX

Northeast RSC

Government Services Center

320 West Second St., Ste. 710

Duluth, MN 55802

218/723-4964 Voice

218/723-4961 TTY

218/723-4969 FAX

Southeast RSC

Olmsted Cty. Human Services Bldg.

2116 Campus Dr. SE. Ste. 32

Rochester, MN 55904

507/285-7163 Voice/TTY

507/280-5531 FAX

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT?

An EDP Specialist will interview you to determine what equipment is best. Such as:

TTY/TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) - A Keyboard device that sends and receives typed messages over telephone lines.
Telephone Amplifier - Attaches to your phone and makes the voice you here louder.
Amplified Telephone - A telephone with built-in volume control that makes the voice you hear louder.
Telephone Ring Signaler (Visual, Tactile, or Amplified) - Tells you when the phone is ringing via flashing light, vibrating signaler, or changing the ring to a volume you can hear.
Special Equipment for Deafblind People - Such as TTYs with Large Visual Display for people with some vision or brailing TTYs for people who read braille.
Hands-free Speaker Phone - (For people with mobility impairment) A speaker phone that can be used without holding a receiver or dialing the phone.

What Else Does EDP Do?

EDP may pay to bring the phone line to your home if there has never been phone service in your home.
The EDP Specialist will train you on the installation and use of the equipment you receive. If you have never had a phone, the Specialist will explain how the service can be started and how to make the best use of your telephone.
The EDP Specialist will also tell you about other federal, state and local programs available to help people use the phone system.

How Do I Apply For EDP?

If you live in Minnesota, you can find the Regional Service Center nearest you and call that number. You can request an application and they will mail it out to you. If you need to request an application by mail, the address is:

The Equipment Distribution Program

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division

444 Lafayette Road

St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-3814

They will contact you within 2-4 weeks to arrange an interview. Whenever possible, interviews will take place at the Regional Service Center (RSC) that serves your area.

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