Free Phone Program via the FCC

Caption Call Phone Program

A lot of us are familiar with the different phone options available to us.  Some of us have been able to use programs via the State that we reside in to obtain phones for those with hearing loss at a discount.  There is now a program via the FCC that will allow anyone with hearing loss to obtain the latest technology at no cost. 

The telephone is something that people without hearing loss take for granted.  You can usually get one for under $15 and install it yourself.  For those of us with hearing loss, there are limited options when it comes to being able to obtain a phone ‘made for us’ that doesn’t cost us money. 

For those of you with a telephone and internet in your home, you may have noticed that there is a charge on your bills called a Universal Service Fund Fee.  These monies go to the FCC so that they can provide programs and services such as closed captioning on television shows, specialized phone programs for some segments of the population, ECT.  The FCC has a Vendor called Caption Call to get phones into the hands of those with hearing loss.  There are no State vouchers to fill out and the phones are installed by a Caption Call Representative in your area.  So, you also get the hands on training you need to get comfortable using the phone.

Our local HLAA Hearing Loss Support Group has been able to partner with Caption Call so that we can give out a promo code that will enable anyone with hearing loss to get in on this program free of charge.  There is no cost to obtain and have this phone installed as long as you have a landline phone line and high speed internet.  Our promo code is good in all 50 U.S. States.  The program is only availble in the U.S. at this time. 

Here is the website link for Caption Call:     www.captioncall.com/CaptionCall/Products/Free-Demo.aspx                                     

Just fill in the form and enter the promo code.  This will get you into the system so that someone can contact you to set up an installation time.

Our promo code is:  HS 3066 

If you or someone in your home would like to actually call Caption Call to get questions answered, here’s their toll free number:  1-877-557-2227  The Reps that answer the phone call from you can also place the order for the phone as long as you have the promo code (above).

If you live close to Wales, WI, you are invited to come to our monthly meeting on Sept. 13, 2012 to see and hear (CART is used at all of our meetings) from the Caption Call Rep. for our area.  She will be bringing one of the phones with her and welcomes any and all questions regarding the program.  There is no charge to attend our meetings and they are always open to the public.  Start time is 6:30pm.  We meet at the Wales Community Center located at 216 W. South St. in Wales, WI.

I know that I have started to shy away from using the phone over the past few years.  My biggest problem has been with companies that use reps. that have accents.  I just don’t understand what they are saying.  Add in the fact that I have a real problem hearing high pitched voices and it’s a challenge for me to have a conversation on the darn thing.  And, it’s just not fun anymore!  If this program will allow me to use a phone that I can now read the captions on (in almost real time), then I can see myself no longer bothering my family members to call someone for me.  And, it will also help me to get my confidence up again by being independent in another area of my life! 

Have a great week!