Communications Technology Access Program (CTAP)
The Communications Technology Access Program (CTAP) oversees three different programs: Communications Technology Program (CTP), the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) also known as ICanConnect (ICC), and Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
The three programs provide access to communication, devices, education, and resources at no charge to qualified Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and speech-disabled individuals.
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Communications Technology Program (CTP)
The Communications Technology Program (CTP) provides communications education and resources, as well as devices, such as amplified and captioned phones, smartphones and tablets, as well as notification systems, personal amplifiers, and specialized equipment. We also provide training to qualified Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals, and individuals with speech disabilities.
Click here to download a printed copy of the application for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communications technology.
More Resources
Phone and Internet Assistance Lifeline
Lifeline – Universal Service Administrative Company
Income Eligibility
To be eligible to receive devices, your household income must be below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, as shown in the following table:
|
Number of persons in |
Maximum income |
|---|---|
|
1 |
$63,840 |
|
2 |
$86,560 |
|
3 |
$109,280 |
|
4 |
$132,000 |
|
5 |
$1504,720 |
|
6 |
$177,440 |
|
7 |
$200,160 |
|
8 |
$222,880 |
For each additional person, add $22,720.
Last updated January 2026
iCanConnect (ICC)
(National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program)
The Division administers the iCanConnect program in Colorado. iCanConnect is often known as the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP).
In 2012, iCanConnect enabled our Communications Technology Program to expand its telecommunications service by providing qualified DeafBlind individuals with modern telecommunication tools.
These tools allow two-way communication between DeafBlind individuals and their community members. Technology includes smartphones, laptops, braille devices, and much more.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for iCanConnect, you must meet the program’s disability and income eligibility guidelines.
Additionally, a professional must attest that the applicant’s combined hearing and vision loss meets the program’s definition. Examples of professionals include:
● A community service provider
● Educator
● Healthcare provider
● Vision or hearing professional
● Vocational rehabilitation counselor
● A medical or health professional.
Guideline Definitions
Vision Loss
Defined by one of the following:
Hearing Loss
Defined by one of the following:
Income Eligibility
In addition to significant vision and hearing loss, your household must be within 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify for iCanConnect. See below for the guidelines chart.
There are two ways to prove income eligibility:
- Documentation of current enrollment in a federal program with the same income eligibility requirement—such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal public housing assistance or Section 8, food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
- Documentation that all household income is within 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.
|
Number of persons in |
Maximum income |
|---|---|
|
1 |
$62,600 |
|
2 |
$84,600 |
|
3 |
$106,600 |
|
4 |
$128,600 |
|
5 |
$150,600 |
|
6 |
$172,600 |
|
7 |
$194,600 |
|
8 |
$216,000 |
How to Apply
If you meet the eligibility requirements, download the application.
● You can complete and sign the application digitally.
● You can print the application and fill it out by hand.
● You can request an application to be mailed to you in print or Braille.
● Please note – part of the application is a disability verification that
needs to be completed by a medical professional.
Equipment and Technology
The iCanConnect equipment page provides an overview of the types of distance communication equipment the program can provide to stay connected to friends, family, and the world.
Equipment Categories
The list is updated regularly. iCanConnect Equipment
iCanConnect professionals will work with participants to identify each person’s specific needs.
Program Contact:
Email: ctap.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Phone: 303-866-2097
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)
Colorado Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), commonly known as Relay Colorado, was formerly housed under the Colorado Public Utilities Commission but transitioned to the Division as part of HB25-1154 in June 2025.
Relay Colorado Services
Making telecommunication connections possible for all
Relay Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and speech-disabled
Relay Colorado is a public service that enables individuals with hearing or speech differences who use a teletypewriter (TTY) or other assistive device to communicate with standard telephone users.
The conversation is relayed between the two parties by a specially trained Communications Assistant. Relay Colorado is available 24 hours a day 365 days per year.
Dialing 711 automatically connects to a Communications Assistant which is easy and fast.
Captioned Telephone Services
Captioned Telephone (CapTel) Service lets you listen and read captions of everything said during your phone calls.
It’s especially helpful for individuals with hearing differences who don’t benefit from amplified phones.
Services for People with a speech disability
Speech to Speech service that allows people who have a speech disability to place and receive telephone calls with an assistance from a Communications Assistant.
Remote Conference Captioning
Remote Conference Captioning (RCC) service enables you to actively participate in conference calls, video meetings and webinars. With RCC, you can read live captions via a web browser on your computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device.
This service is designed for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or speech-disabled.
There is no cost to use the service for individuals who live or work in Colorado.
Hours:
– Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
– Saturday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Hearing Callers & Businesses
Useful resources for those who wish doing businesses with consumers who have hearing or speech differences.
Relay Colorado is a no-cost service that allows a hearing individual to use a standard telephone (wired or wireless) to place a relay call and easily converse with an individual who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or speech-disabled.
Specially trained Communications Assistants (CA) facilitate the calls. Calls can be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no restrictions on the number, length, or type of calls.
All calls are strictly confidential, no records of any conversations are maintained. Anyone wishing to use Relay Colorado simply dials the relay number (711) to connect with a CA, who then will dial the requested number and relay the conversation between the two callers.
Relay services are for everyone who has hearing or speech differences, and for those who are hearing to communicate effectively with each other on the telephone.
To ensure everyone has a great experience reaching the relay center, we have a few helpful tips.
Tip #1: Voice user profile
When you dial the dedicated Relay Colorado’s voice toll free number, 800-659-3656, you will hear the Voice Response Unit (VRU message) to ensure that you are reaching out to the correct phone number.
If you make frequent calls to Relay Colorado, you can expedite the process in reaching a CA (and bypass the automated recording) by setting up a customer profile.
To set up your customer profile, dial 800-676-3777 to reach our accessibility care team. Simply ask them to set your phone number to default as a “voice user” and you’ll be all set.
Tip #2: Advertising relay on business websites & marketing collateral
Did you know that by ONLY including the phrase “Just Dial 711” to your website can be confusing to customers?
It’s important to provide additional information to ensure those needing the service are prepared with everything they need to make a successful call. Our communications assistants will require your business phone number to complete a relay call.
Below are a few suggested phrases to include on your website. The key here is to INCLUDE your business’s phone number within the message. Choose one of the 3 examples to add to your website!
- Example #1: “Relay Service for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or those with a speech disability – please call 711, then provide the CA our company’s number (xxx-xxx-xxxx) to contact us for questions or concerns.”
- Example #2: “For Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or those with a speech disability please dial 711 then provide our company’s phone number, xxx-xxx-xxxx to complete the relay call.”
- Example #3: “For TTY users (i.e. Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or have a speech disability) please dial 711 then provide our company’s phone number, xxx-xxx-xxxx to complete the relay call.”
Tip #3: Please, don’t hang up campaign
Don’t be that company that hangs up on a relay call. If you hear “Relay Colorado CA 1234, may I have the number you are calling please?” do not hang up, it’s someone calling you through the relay service!
Thousands of individuals who have hearing or speech loss call businesses and organizations like yours every day. They call through Relay Services. Often people hang up on Relay calls because they think a telemarketer is calling.
When a call comes through saying, “This is Relay Colorado,” it is a call from someone with a hearing loss or a speech disability.
These hang-ups are frustrating for customers with hearing or speech loss. But just as significant, they mean a loss of business and bad customer relations for the business or organization being called.
So, the next time you get a Relay call, remember: if you hang up, you may be hanging up on the most important call that you receive all day!
Report Your Complaint Online
If you have experienced a hang-up when placing a relay call, you can complete the hang-up incident form online below. A Relay Colorado team will follow up by sending a brochure, a letter, or by calling the business that is the source of the complaint to explain the relay service.
Help Relay Colorado increase awareness and get the message out about the “Don’t Hang Up” campaign. Please fill out the form with accurate information and click on Send. All information is confidential.