These situations are common to people with a hearing loss, physical disability or speech impairment.

The State of Minnesota's TED (Telephone Equipment Distribution) Program helps ease these barriers on the phone.

The TED Program has telephone equipment available at no cost to those that qualify. Residents are already paying for these services through a telephone surcharge on phone bills.

To be eligible, a person must:

- Be a Minnesota resident

- Have a hearing, speech impairment or physically disabled

- Have existing phone service in their home

- Have an annual income below the program's income guidelines ($37,637 for individuals; $49,218 for a two-person household).

After eligibility is established, a TED program specialist will assess what type of equipment will meet the applicant's needs. Examples of equipment distributed include but are not limited to:

- Phones that make the voice you hear louder and clearer

- Devices that make the ring louder or make a light flash when the phone rings,

- Phones that enables a user to read the callers words on a screen and respond by using their own voice,

- Hands-free speaker phones for people who have difficulty holding a handset or dialing out

- TTY's for deaf or speech impaired callers, and

- Specialized equipment for people who are deaf and blind.

In addition to providing equipment to those who are eligible, the TED Program also provides training on how to install and use the equipment received, as well as equipment maintenance and repair.

TED staff members receive a lot of positive feedback from recipients of the equipment. Access to the telephone allows people to be more independent, feel more secure, depend on family members less, and to socialize more freely with family and friends.

Those wanting to learn more about TED can call 1-800-657-3663, e-mail ted.program@state.mn.us, visit the web site at www.tedprogram.org or write to the TED Program, 444 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-3814. Staff can also be contacted to setup informational presentations by calling the number listed above. These presentations are offered at no charge.

By Lee Bonorden