Relay Iowa

The State of Iowa offers an important public service called Relay IowaRelay Iowa is for everyone, including the thousands of people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind or Speech Impaired.  Relay Iowa is a program of the Iowa Utilities Board and ensure all citizens have access to convenient, reliable services that enable them to communicate by telephone.

How does relay work?
Dial 7-1-1 from any phone in Iowa or the appropriate toll-free number below to connect to Relay Iowa.  Give the communication Assistant (CA) the area code and number you want to call.  During a relay call, the CA will voice everything typed by the TTY user and type everything said by the telephone user.  Calls handled by Relay Iowa are held strictly confidential.

Dial 7-1-1 OR
TTY: 1-800-735-2943
Voice: 1-800-735-2943
Speech to Speech 1-877-735-1007
Spanish: 1-800-264-7190
Relay Iowa Website

Telecommunications Access Iowa

Specialized Telephone Equipment

Approved Equipment Categories include, Amplified Phone, Captioned Telephone, Voice-Activated Speakerphone With Adaptive Features, Speech Amplified Phone, Hearing Cary Over (HCO) Phone, Text Telephone (TTY), Voice Carry Over (VCO) Phone, Electrolarynx Telephone, Speech Therapy Device, Phone Ringer/Signaler,  and Amplified Answering Machine.

How do I apply for specialized equipment?
The Iowa Equipment distribution Program called Telecommunication Access Iowa (TAI) helps pay for specialized equipment for Iowa residents who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired.  Qualified individuals can receive a voucher for approximately 95% of the average cost of specialized telephone equipment.  To apply online, go to or call 1-800-606-5099 V/TTY.

iowaCan Connect - The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

Connect is a program that provides communications technology free of charge to low-income of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss. It provides a wide range of hardware, software and applications to suit the varying communications technology needs of persons who qualify.  Examples include products that are available to the general public and may be accessible to people with hearing and vision loss or products that are adaptable through the use of specialized equipment, such as screen enlargement software, screen readers or Braille displays.

If you, or someone you know, has combined vision and hearing loss and cannot afford communications technology that enables you to use a telephone, send an email, access the Internet, or use other communications technology, you might be eligible for this program.

A qualified program specialist can help you identify equipment that will meet your needs. program specialists are also available to train you to use the equipment.

To see if you qualify for this program, you may visit:

To apply, contact:

TOLL-FREE (Voice) 800-606-5099


TOLL-FREE (VOICE) 800-362-2587

For more information, visit: