Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

What Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing does

The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) is a state government agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, operating under the Education and Labor Cabinet, with headquarters in Frankfort, Kentucky and a 7-person staff. It was established to provide leadership, education, advocacy, and programs eliminating communication and accessibility barriers for deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, and deaf-blind Kentuckians. KCDHH administers a portfolio of programs authorized by statute (notably KRS 163.510 and KRS 163.525), most prominently the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP), which distributes specialized phones, CapTel devices, TTYs, VCO, signaling devices, and wireless equipment at no cost to eligible residents, funded via a surcharge on Kentucky telecommunication access lines. The Access Center, established in 1999 under 735 KAR 2:010, centrally schedules sign language interpreters and CART captioners exclusively for state agencies; the agency also oversees interpreter licensure through the Kentucky Board of Interpreters and coordinates with the Kentucky School for the Deaf on educational outreach.

KCDHH's operations are non-commercial and asset-light, with no proprietary technology platform. Core technology is delivered through contracted service providers (Hamilton Relay for TRS/VRS), the national Smart911 registry, and direct equipment distribution via UPS and FedEx to consumer homes, supplemented by equipment tryout cabinets statewide. The business model is funded by two streams: (1) state government appropriations routed through the Education and Labor Cabinet, and (2) a telecom access line surcharge mandated by KRS 163.525, established by the 1994 General Assembly alongside the TAP enabling legislation. All services are free to eligible consumers, with eligibility requiring minimum one-year Kentucky residency, professional verification of disability, and minimum age thresholds (5 for landline, 13 for wireless). Go-to-market is direct-to-constituent through the Frankfort office, a statewide email list, vlog, Instagram and Facebook accounts, community presentations, and DeaFestival, an annual cultural event.

KCDHH's primary customer segments are the approximately 700,000 Kentuckians with hearing loss, plus secondary segments including parents/families of deaf children (for IEP navigation and educational rights), Kentucky state agencies (requiring interpreter/CART services), and businesses/healthcare providers subject to Title III ADA accommodation obligations. The Commission is governed by a board that includes ex-officio staff such as the Executive Director, Commission Chair, Program Coordinator, Policy Specialist, and Document Processing Specialist II, alongside commissioner representatives serving multi-year terms (e.g., Gerry Gordon-Brown, 2024-2027).

Name

Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Legal name

Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Website

https://kcdhh.ky.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KCDHH is a Kentucky state agency under the Education and Labor Cabinet that administers the Telecommunications Access Program, Access Center interpreter/CART scheduling, advocacy, emergency preparedness, and interpreter licensure oversight for the Commonwealth's deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Appropriations: KCDHH operates as a state government agency within the Education and Labor Cabinet (previously the Finance and Administration Cabinet). Its programs, including TAP and the Access Center, are funded through state government appropriations and a small surcharge on all telecommunication access lines throughout Kentucky, as established by the 1994 General Assembly.
2. Telecommunication Access Line Surcharge: Kentucky's TAP program is funded by a small surcharge on all telecommunication access lines throughout the state, as mandated by KRS 163.525. This surcharge generates the revenue used to purchase and distribute specialized telecommunications equipment at no cost to qualifying residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KCDHH is a state government agency that provides specialized telecommunications equipment, interpreter and CART scheduling, relay services, information and advocacy, and emergency preparedness resources to deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, and deaf-blind Kentucky residents. Its core programs include the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP), the Access Center for state agencies, Kentucky Relay Service coordination, and emergency notification registration (Smart911).

Product overview

KCDHH operates as a state government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians. The core offerings include the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP), which provides specialized equipment at no cost, and the Access Center for interpreter/CART scheduling. These are supported by information and advocacy services, emergency preparedness programs, deaf-blind services, outreach services, and the cultural DeaFestival event. The organization also oversees interpreter licensure through the Kentucky Board of Interpreters. The TAP program and related services are funded through surcharges on telecommunication access lines throughout the state.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Telecommunications Access Program (TAP): Program that provides specialized telecommunications equipment to Kentucky residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or deaf-blind.
• Moore Safe Nights
• DeaFestival Kentucky
• Access Center

Products and services

• Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) A state program providing specialized telecommunications equipment at no cost to deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or deaf-blind Kentucky residents to enable equal telephone access. Equipment includes landline phones, wireless devices, CapTel captioned phones, TTYs, signaling devices, and amplified phones.
• Access Center (Interpreter/CART Services for State Agencies) Centralized scheduling service for Kentucky state agencies to request sign language interpreters and CART captioners for deaf and hard of hearing consumers, eliminating fragmented scheduling and reducing costs through centralization.
• Kentucky Relay Service Telecommunications relay service (TRS) and Video Relay Service (VRS) enabling deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired individuals to communicate via telephone using TTY, CapTel, VCO, or Video Relay Services through American Sign Language, operated through Hamilton Relay.
• Emergency Preparedness Programs Programs and resources to ensure deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians are alerted, informed, protected, and empowered before, during, and after emergencies. Includes Smart911 registration and Moore Safe Nights weather alert resources.
• Smart911 Emergency Registry A nationwide emergency notification registry that allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to provide important personal details (hearing status, communication needs, emergency contacts) to 911 dispatch centers for more effective emergency response.
• Information, Referral, and Advocacy Services Provides information, referrals, and advocacy support to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families regarding rights under disability laws, accommodation requests, and accessing services.
• Interpreter Licensure Program Oversight and administration of sign language interpreter licensure in Kentucky through the Kentucky Board of Interpreters, requiring all sign language interpreters to hold a valid Kentucky license.
• Deaf-Blind Services Information, resources, support services, and communication tools for individuals who are both deaf and blind, including deaf-blind resource guides and specialized equipment programs.
• Outreach Services Educational consultants located across Kentucky provide technical assistance to schools regarding evaluations, educational programming, classroom adaptations, interpreting services, and assistive technology support for students with hearing loss.
• DeaFestival Kentucky An annual cultural event celebrating deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians featuring performing and visual arts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 700,000 Kentuckians have hearing loss and are served by KCDHH or its programs.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hamilton RelaycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1995Hamilton Relay is Kentucky's contracted Relay Service Provider for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and Video Relay Service (VRS), providing 24/7 relay services including TTY relay, voice relay, speech-to-speech relay, Spanish-to-Spanish relay, and internet CapTel. KCDHH works with Hamilton Relay to provide equal telephone access for Kentucky residents.
• Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCDHH and KYEM partnered to create the 'Moore Safe Nights' program, which provides weather radios with ASL instructions and captioned videos to deaf and hard of hearing Kentucky residents. KYEM provides emergency management expertise and support while KCDHH administers the application process and equipment distribution. This partnership addresses the critical gap in emergency weather alerts for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Kentucky Board of InterpreterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kentucky Board of Interpreters (KBI), established under KRS 309.300-319, administers interpreter licensure in Kentucky. KCDHH is mandated to use only licensed interpreters and works closely with the Board to ensure interpreter standards. KBI provides the online directory of licensed interpreters used by entities seeking to hire interpreters.
• Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder KRS 167.015, the Kentucky School for the Deaf is established as the Statewide Educational Resource Center on Deafness. KCDHH connects constituents with KSD's educational consultants located across the state who provide technical assistance to special education cooperatives for students with hearing loss. The partnership covers evaluations, educational programming, classroom adaptations, interpreting, and assistive technology support.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) - Kentucky ChaptersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHLAA Kentucky chapters (Kentuckiana, Kentucky Home, and Bowling Green Resources) are community partners that hold regular meetings, programs, and support events for people with hearing loss in Louisville, Frankfort, and Bowling Green areas. KCDHH publishes these chapter events on its bulletin board and calendar.
• Education and Labor Cabinet (formerly Finance and Administration Cabinet)coreOthersKCDHH is an agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Education and Labor Cabinet. The Cabinet provides administrative oversight, funding authorization, and policy alignment for KCDHH's programs and operations.
• KY Division of Mental Health - Deaf and Hard of Hearing ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCDHH partners with the KY Division of Mental Health's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services program to provide mental health resources specifically tailored to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This includes funding for the Dinner Table Project addressing social isolation during family gatherings for deaf individuals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Hamilton Relay: Private-sector relay service provider contracted by KCDHH to deliver TRS and VRS services in Kentucky. Hamilton Relay serves as a major vendor across multiple state TAP programs and is directly integrated into KCDHH's service delivery infrastructure.
• Sorenson Communications: Leading provider of Video Relay Services (VRS) and communication access solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Operates as both an industry vendor and adjacent service provider serving populations that overlap with KCDHH's constituents.

Direct peers

• California Department of Rehabilitation - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: California state program providing specialized vocational rehabilitation, communication access, and independent living services for deaf and hard of hearing Californians, including a Telecommunications Equipment Distribution program that parallels Kentucky's TAP.
• Texas Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission: Texas state agency with a comparable mandate to coordinate services, programs, and resources for Texans who are deaf or hard of hearing, including telecommunications equipment distribution, interpreter referral, and advocacy. Directly parallel structure to KCDHH at state scale.
• Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Pennsylvania state office serving as the primary point of contact for deaf and hard of hearing residents, providing advocacy, information and referral, interpreter coordination, and community education services paralleling KCDHH's mandate.
• New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: New Jersey state division within the Department of Human Services that provides communication access services, advocacy, and specialized programs for deaf and hard of hearing residents, closely mirroring KCDHH's portfolio.
• Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Maryland state office that advocates for and provides services to deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders across state agencies, including interpreter coordination, training, and community education comparable to KCDHH's Access Center and outreach functions.

Broad incumbents

• Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association (TEDPA): National association of state telecommunications equipment distribution programs, of which KCDHH's TAP is a member. TEDPA sets industry standards and coordinates cross-state program collaboration for TTY and captioned phone distribution across all U.S. state TAPs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kcdhh
• Instagraminstagram.com/kycommdeafhoh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-commission-on-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing