Maine Telecommunication Equipment Program

About Us

The Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) provides advocacy and support for Maine's D/deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened communities. MCD is a private, non-profit agency that serves the entire state of Maine.

MCD administers Maine's Telecommunications Equipment Program (TEP), through which adaptive telecommunications equipment is made available to Maine residents who cannot use a conventional telephone due to a cognitive or physical disability. A simple application process will determine if a client is eligible to participate at 'no cost' (Lending) or 'low cost' (Cost Share). Most of our clients qualify as Lending, and are able to borrow the equipment for as long as they need or want it. If 'Lending' equipment breaks down, MCD will replace it at no charge.

In addition to adaptive telecommunications equipment, MCD also distributes Emergency Notification System (ENS) Equipment such as one-way and two-way pagers, and emergency weather radios. The pagers are able to receive email-based emergency alerts from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

The Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) Equipment Program is funded by the Universal Services Fund and the Division of Deafness located within the Department of Labor's Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.

Services

TEP equipment available includes: TTY's, captioned (CapTel) telephones, VCO phones, HCO phones, amplfied phones, Braille phones, 'Talk Back' phones, voice activated speaker phones, Ablephones, Servox, and various types of telephone signalers.

ENS equipment includes: one-way pagers, two-way pagers (all monthly service charges are to be paid by client-MCD provides only the equipment) and NOAA weather radios with text display.

There are three options for obtaining equipment:

For persons who live on a limited or fixed income, cost for equipment is determined on a sliding scale that considers total household income.

1) If you qualify for 'Lending':

• Equipment will be provided to fit your telecommunication needs.
• You are responsible for insurance that covers the equipment for fire, theft, or other damage.
• If your equipment needs repair due to normal use, MCD will loan you equipment while we get yours repaired.
• Equipment must be returned when you move out of Maine or no longer need it.

2) If you qualify for 'Cost Share':

• Equipment is sold on sliding-scale basis; cost to you may be as little as $50.
• You can choose from a wide variety of available equipment.
• You own the equipment and can take it with you anywhere, including out of Maine.
• You are responsible for any needed repairs and any warranty obligations.

3) Direct Purchase options:

If you do not want to provide income information you can purchase telecommunications and alert equipment at a discounted rate.

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