FREE PHONES FOR HEARING DISABLED 

The state of Illinois estimates there are more than 2 million residents living with some degree of hearing loss. State law requires all Illinois landline phone companies to distribute free, specialized phones to the hearing disabled. The nonprofi t Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC), set up by those Illinois landline companies, is now offering a new amplifi ed telephone at no cost to seniors and others with hearing loss who live in Sangamon County. An application may be obtained online at www.itactty.org or at the Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 South Grand Ave. (217-523- 2587), which is distributing the specialized equipment. The cordless phone has talking caller ID and amplifi es incoming sounds up to 50 decibels. “ITAC is dedicated to providing people in our community with hearing loss access to communication solutions so they can stay in touch and engaged with their loved ones,” said Trudy Snell, ITAC executive director. “We are excited to offer this new phone to Sangamon County residents.”