NCATP Assistive Technology Specialists for people with a hearing loss collaborate with the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in their Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program. The TED Program loans phone equipment to people who have a hearing loss (hard of hearing or deaf) or have a speech impairment. The program provides equipment on a long-term basis at no cost. To qualify you must live in North Carolina, have a hearing loss or speech impairment that limits your use of a standard phone, have phone service in your home (or have applied for phone service) and meet household income guidelines. Collaboration with the Morganton Regional Resource Center for implementing the TED Program works with a team approach to processing the applications and to selecting the appropriate equipment. Outreach through the Morganton Regional Resource Center covers Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Iredell, McDowell, Rutherford, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties. However, services are available statewide. In addition to a telecommunication device, participants in the program can receive an alerting device that enhances safety and activities in daily living.