California Connect, also called the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and is a public purpose program that provides communications equipment and services to persons with disabilities. The program’s accessible products and services are fully subsidized, removing financial barriers.

Equipment is available for people who have difficulty:

• Hearing
• Seeing
• Moving
• Speaking
• Learning or remembering

California Relay Service can connect TTY users to non-TTY users.

There are free trainings on how to make a smartphone work better for people with disabilities.

To be eligible, you must be certified as having a permanent or temporary disability and you also must:

• Live in California
• Have access to telephone service
  • You must have access to either cell phone or land line service to participate in the program.

Web pages

• Home - https://caconnect.org/
• Apply - https://apply.caconnect.org/
• Find equipment - https://caconnect.org/e…

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ACRC provides lifelong services for people with developmental disabilities.

Services:

• Assessment diagnosis and evaluation
• Early intervention services for at-risk infants and their families, serving children from 0 to 3 years of age who have developmental delay, who are at risk for developmental delay, or have developmental disabilities.
• Genetic counseling
• Service coordination (case management)
• Information and referral
• Individual program planning
• Residential care
• Out-of-home placement and follow-up
• Consultation to public and private agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities
• Clients of Alta California Regional Center may be eligible to participate in programs at the Neighborhood Center of the Arts. NCA offers a studio program and gallery display for adult artists with developmental disabilities. NCA is funded through Alta California Regional Center therefore, each participant must be a consumer of Alta to attend program. The adult development program is designed to …

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NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing provides employment-related support to Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals across 24 northeastern counties of California. 

Staff fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) assist with finding resources to improve job opportunities.

Services include:

• Free use of CalJobs via the internet
• Job search assistance
• Resume and cover letter support
• Help with job applications
• Interview practice
• Ongoing job support
• Access to computers and other resources
• Distribution of "I Am Hard of Hearing" cards (available for pickup or via email as a printable file)

Web pages

• Home - https://norcalcenter.org/edd/

Society for the Blind provides programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Services include:

• Offers independent living skills classes and support services
• Provides programs for adults age 55+, including the Senior IMPACT Project
• Offers youth programs focused on education, confidence, and daily living skills
• Operates a low vision clinic offering evaluations

Web pages

• Home - https://societyfortheblind.org/
• Classes & Services - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/classes-services/
• Programs for 55+ including the Senior IMPACT project - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/programs-for-55/
• Youth Programs - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/youth-programs/
• Low Vision Clinic - https://societyfortheblind.org/low-vision-clinic/about-our-clinic/

California Braille and Talking Book Library offers free services to anyone who can't read standard print materials because of a physical disability including those who can't hold a book.

California State Library services:

• CA State Library specializes in providing library services to individuals with visual impairments
• CA State Library loans braille, cassette and digital talking books, magazines and playback equipment to Northern Californians unable to read conventional print

Web pages

• Home - https://www.library.ca.gov/btbl/

The Deaf Access Program provides the following services:

• Communication Services - sign language interpreters and translation of documents for deaf clients with low language skills
• Advocacy Services
• Job Development and Placement
• Information and Referral
• Counseling
• Independent Living Skills Instruction
• Community Education
  
  

REGION VII - NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NorCal)

4044 N. Freeway Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-349-7500 (Voice)
916-993-3048 (Videophone)
916-550-9355 (Videophone P3)
Email: piar@dss.ca.gov
Website: www.norcalcenter.org

Web pages

• Home - https://www.cdss.ca.gov/deaf-access
• Contact info for all region offices -https://www.cdss.ca.gov/deaf-access/deaf-access-program-dap-service-providers

Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a mission to provide Guide Dogs and training in their use to visually impaired people throughout the United States and Canada. Their dogs and services are free to those they serve, thanks to the generosity of donors and support of volunteers.

Students have access to instructors, counselors and veterinarians, a full-time nursing staff, a dedicated dormitory staff all of whom attend to students' needs in order to make their stay pleasant and enjoyable. They also offer follow-up services to each graduate of their program at their home or place of business for the lifetime of their guide dog partnership.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 150,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.asha.org/

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.afb.org/