{"id":9374,"date":"2010-02-17T03:17:06","date_gmt":"2010-02-17T08:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=9374"},"modified":"2010-02-17T03:58:41","modified_gmt":"2010-02-17T08:58:41","slug":"free-amplified-phone-available-to-texans-with-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/02\/17\/free-amplified-phone-available-to-texans-with-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Amplified Phone Available to Texans With Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Free Amplified Phone Available to Texans With Hearing Loss<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The New Clarity XL40D Removes Background Noise, Amplifies Voice and Is<br \/>\nFirst to Feature Innovative New Customer Service Technology<\/p>\n<p>By: Marketwire<\/p>\n<p>February 16, 2010<\/p>\n<p>AUSTIN, TX &#8212; (Marketwire) &#8212; 02\/16\/10 &#8212; The Clarity XL40D, a new amplified<br \/>\ntelephone designed by Clarity, a division of Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), is now<br \/>\navailable through the Texas Specialized Telecommunications Assistance<br \/>\nProgram (STAP). The new phone makes conversations easier to understand for<br \/>\nthe estimated 3.8 million Texans with hearing loss.<\/p>\n<p>The Clarity XL40D can be obtained at no-cost by Texas residents who are<br \/>\ncertified as having a hearing loss by calling 1-866-525-2748. Callers will<br \/>\nbe directed to distribution centers in their area.<\/p>\n<p>The Clarity XL40D amplifies incoming sound up to 50 decibels while reducing<br \/>\ndistracting background noise using a technology traditionally found only in<br \/>\nhearing aids. Dubbed Digital Clarity Power?, the technology improves<br \/>\nconversations by not just making words louder, but making them clearer and<br \/>\neasier to understand. Additionally, outgoing speech can be amplified up to<br \/>\n15 decibels. The XL40D is an ideal solution for those with a severe hearing<br \/>\nloss.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nearly 4 million Texans struggle with hearing loss. STAP is doing a<br \/>\ntremendous job by providing these individuals with a means to connect with<br \/>\nfriends and family,&#8221; said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. &#8220;We are<br \/>\nhonored to provide STAP with the XL40D &#8212; we&#8217;re confident this phone will<br \/>\nmake a tremendous impact on residents across Texas.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Among the features of the XL40D is ClarityLogic\u00ae, the latest technology from<br \/>\nClarity that allows for simplified customer support that provides accurate<br \/>\nand immediate results. Phone users simply call an 800 phone number and a<br \/>\nClarity representative can remotely evaluate their phone to provide feedback<br \/>\nor adjust settings.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;ClarityLogic gives a new meaning to &#8216;smart phone&#8217; and is unlike anything<br \/>\navailable in today&#8217;s standard phones,&#8221; continued Trads. &#8220;One call to Clarity<br \/>\nand our customer service team can remotely diagnose and adjust the settings<br \/>\nof the phone. The STAP program enables residents of Texas to get the benefit<br \/>\nof this smart phone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The XL40D features four tone settings for a customized listening experience<br \/>\nand an extra loud speakerphone for hands-free conversations. It also has<br \/>\nlarge backlit keys that speak the number when dialed and offers 12 speed<br \/>\ndial buttons.<\/p>\n<p>About STAP<\/p>\n<p>The STAP is a voucher program offered by the state of Texas for the purchase<br \/>\nof specialized assistive equipment or services by Texas residents whose<br \/>\ndisability interferes with their ability to access the telephone network.<br \/>\nFor more information about this program please contact the Department of<br \/>\nAssistive and Rehabilitative Services, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing<br \/>\nServices at 512-407-3250 or stap@dars.state.tx.us or visit<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dars.state.tx.us\/dhhs\/stap.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"> http:\/\/www.dars.state.tx.us\/dhhs\/stap.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n<p>About Clarity<\/p>\n<p>Clarity\u00ae is a leading supplier of amplified telephones, notification<br \/>\nsystems, assistive listening devices and other communications devices for<br \/>\nthose with hearing loss. A leader in sound amplification, Clarity&#8217;s patented<br \/>\ntechnologies, Clarity\u00ae Power? and Digital Clarity Power?, provide customized<br \/>\nsolutions for customers who otherwise could not communicate easily and<br \/>\neffectively with the outside world. As more people begin to address their<br \/>\nhearing needs, Clarity will continue to provide effective technologies that<br \/>\nare simple and easy to use. For more information about Clarity and its<br \/>\nproducts, please call 1-800-426-3738 or visit<br \/>\nhttp:\/\/www.clarityproducts.com<\/p>\n<p>Image Available: <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.marketwire.com\/mw\/frame_mw?attachid=1177085\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www2.marketwire.com\/mw\/frame_mw?attachid=1177085<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Contact:<br \/>\nRyan Witherell<br \/>\n615.327.7999<br \/>\nrwitherell@seigenthaler.com<\/p>\n<p>Source:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/au.sys-con.com\/node\/1286980 \" target=\"_blank\"> http:\/\/au.sys-con.com\/node\/1286980 <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Free Amplified Phone Available to Texans With Hearing Loss The New Clarity XL40D Removes Background Noise, Amplifies Voice and Is First to Feature Innovative New Customer Service Technology By: Marketwire February 16, 2010 AUSTIN, TX &#8212; (Marketwire) &#8212; 02\/16\/10 &#8212;&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-p\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/02\/17\/free-amplified-phone-available-to-texans-with-hearing-loss\/\">Read more &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[1695,21,3308,3304,34,1637,1258,3310,3309,1245,3307,3305,457,17,3306],"class_list":["post-9374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-amplified-telephone","tag-austin","tag-clarity","tag-clarity-xl40d","tag-dars","tag-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-services","tag-department-of-assistive-and-rehabilitative-services","tag-digital-clarity","tag-digital-clarity-power","tag-hearing-loss","tag-plantronics","tag-stap","tag-telephone","tag-texas","tag-texas-specialized-telecommunications-assistance-program"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-2rc","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22810,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2013\/04\/26\/special-low-price-on-clarity-ensemble-amplified-captioned-phone\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":0},"title":"Special Low Price on Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122 Amplified Captioned Phone","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"April 26, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Special Low Price on Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122 Amplified Captioned Phone Do you know someone with a hearing loss that could benefit from a captioned phone? The Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122 is a first-of-its kind amplified captioned phone that allows users to read conversations as well as hear them. Designed to help those with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DN_logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42548,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2022\/01\/20\/webinar-stap-telephone-assistance-program-overview-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":1},"title":"Webinar: STAP Telephone Assistance Program Overview 2022","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"January 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"New webinar: Specialized Telephone Assistance Program Overview Do you know anyone who has experienced challenges with accessing the phone? Texans with any disability which makes using a standard telephone difficult or impossible may qualify for this program. Carolyn Colley McMahon is a former STAP contractor who has learned the 'ins\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/webinar-Specialized-Telephone-Assistance-Program.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/webinar-Specialized-Telephone-Assistance-Program.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/webinar-Specialized-Telephone-Assistance-Program.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/webinar-Specialized-Telephone-Assistance-Program.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26288,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2014\/02\/13\/public-hearings-stap-mcallen-houston-austin-dallas\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":2},"title":"Public Hearings STAP &#8211; McAllen, Houston, Austin, Dallas","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"February 13, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Public Hearings STAP CITY: McAllen, Houston, Austin, Dallas WEBSITE: http:\/\/www.dars.state.tx.us\/dhhs\/stap.shtml Notice of Public Hearings and Opportunity for Public Comment: \u00a0Revisions to the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45700,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2025\/10\/24\/job-openings-at-hhsc-dhhs-austin\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":3},"title":"Job Openings at HHSC-DHHS &#8211; Austin","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Job Openings at Texas Health and Human Services Commission \u2013 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) DHHS is currently hiring for two positions: Contact Administration Manager Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) Manager If you\u2019re interested in supporting programs that serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing Texans, we encourage you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/hhsc-deaf-services.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/hhsc-deaf-services.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/hhsc-deaf-services.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/hhsc-deaf-services.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5880,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/03\/26\/job-opening-administrative-assistant-iii-stap-austin\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":4},"title":"Job opening &#8220;Administrative Assistant III &#8211; STAP &#8211; Austin","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"March 26, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Job opening \"Administrative Assistant III - Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program Austin, Texas The DARS Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) has an Administrative Assistant III position open in the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP). This posting will close on 4\/3\/2009. If you know anyone who may be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":21818,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2013\/02\/09\/new-clarity-ensemble-at-harris-communications\/","url_meta":{"origin":9374,"position":5},"title":"New Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122 at Harris Communications","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"February 9, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"New Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122 at Harris Communications Harris Communications is now offering the Clarity\u00ae Ensemble\u2122, a first-of-its kind amplified caption phone that allows users to read conversations as well as hear them. Designed to help those with severe hearing loss and low vision, the Ensemble amplifies incoming sound up to 50\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9374"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9384,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9374\/revisions\/9384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}