Illinois ITAC | Accessible Tech

ITAC is an Illinois non-profit governed by the Illinois Commerce Commission. They provide services and equipment for deaf, hard of hearing, and speech disabled communities. As an approved vendor with ITAC, you can receive the latest Apple iPad with the TippyTalk AAC speech app at no cost to you.

Here’s how it works: After starting your application, one of our program managers will contact you for a brief call to guide you through the ITAC application process. Once approved, we will ship your new iPad and guide you through the setup process for the app.

Submit web form by starting your application

Short call with our program manager

Speech Therapist certification

Submit required documentation

Get iPad and TippyTalk app

Two-way communication

Users can communicate with their community anytime, from anywhere, with messages delivered in real time to their community members devices.

Communication made simple

Simple, fast, and ready to use. You can get started in just a few minutes, rather than hours setting up traditional AAC apps.

Custom image library

Personalized to fit your loved one’s daily life and environment, the app comes with thousands of ready-to-use photos and cards plus the option to add even more, so communication is always relevant and meaningful.

Designed for all ages

The TippyTalk app is suitable for children, teens, and adults, accommodating users with a variety of abilities and needs. It’s designed to be flexible and easy to use, so everyone can engage at their own pace.

"I'm still emotional after trying so many apps for my non verbal daughter who's 19 and diagnosed with Cohen syndrome. I'd given up until I just tried TippyTalk. Demi's first text sent was I want a hug nothing could top what I'm feeling right now."

Antoinette Ní Noiréis

"I totes LOVE IT!! What I love more is seeing my 8 year old non verbal daughter’s smile, secondly is the ease and we can edit the words and add recordings... thank you TippyTalk! Will definitely recommend to my networks."

Margaret Brass

"I can't really explain how I feel. My 4 year old uses pecs and within 48 hours was on a roll using his iPad and TippyTalk app. I can't believe how quick he's picked it up. Such a massive difference in our world xxx."

Heather Edwards

iPad and App Using Device and App Financially Accessible Empower your loved one

iPad and TippyTalk

Receive the latest iPad & TippyTalk App completely free

You can receive the latest Apple iPad completely free through this program. The iPad is yours to keep, and it comes with access to the TippyTalk app at no additional cost. Plus, it functions like any other iPad, so you and your child can use it for other purposes as well.

Easy to use

The TippyTalk app is user-friendly and designed to be simple for children and parents alike. No complex setup and can be tailored to your loved ones daily needs and environment.

Financially Accessible

Through Illinois ITAC, your family can access this empowering tool at no cost, easing financial constraints while providing you and your loved one with a valuable resource used for daily communication.

Empower your loved one with better opportunities

With the ability to communicate more effectively, your child is empowered to take part in social and educational opportunities they may have previously struggled with. This increased independence opens doors for improved learning, interaction, and personal growth.

What happens after I fill out the details above?

Once you've filled out the form above:

A program manager will reach out by phone or text to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you have.
You will need to provide documentation like proof of IL residency and a birth certificate if the applicant is under the age of 18. You will be able to upload these or send these to us via text or email.
ITAC requires certification from a licensed speech therapist. If you're not currently working with one, you can still submit your details and we may be able to help at a later time.

If you have questions or want more guidance, you can contact us at any time at ava@accessible-tech.org, or by replying back to any of the emails or text messages you received.

Why do I need to fill out another form if I've already submitted my details through Facebook?

Filling out our ITAC web form includes more requirements for the ITAC application and helps to kickstart your application.

Once we receive these details and determine your eligibility, we're one step closer to submitting everything needed for you to receive your new device and TippyTalk app.

Is ITAC really free?

Yes! Illinois ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation) is completely free for eligible individuals. It provides no-cost communication devices, including an iPad and an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app, to Illinois residents who qualify.

There are no hidden fees or costs, making it an excellent resource for families who need speech devices but can't afford them.

Through your ITAC application, there are no subscription fees to use the app.

How long does ITAC application process take?

Completing the web form will take less than five minutes. The next big step will be submit your documents and provide information from a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP).

From there, we submit the completed application. ITAC takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks including approval and shipping the iPad.

Can my family apply for an adult child or relative?

Yes. We can help you apply for a device and TippyTalk AAC app for any Illinois resident who is age 4 and above who needs this type of tool to communicate in daily life.

While most families we work with have younger children with autism, cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome, TippyTalk is also used by stroke victims and others who have suffered speech impairment from other causes. The person who signs the application will be either a parent, a legal guardian or the user-applicant themselves who is of legal age.

What happens when I receive my iPad?

With the delivery of your iPad, you will receive an instruction pack on how to download and begin using the app.

You'll also receive an email with a QR code to create an account. If at any point you need guidance, our team is here to help!

You can email techsupport@accessible-tech.org at any time.

What is ITAC and why should I apply?

ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation) provides eligible individuals with a free iPad and free access to the TippyTalk AAC app.

Many families we speak to have struggled to find a cost-effective way to get speech devices for their loved ones. Accessible Tech make this process easy because our team knows these programs inside and out.

ITAC eliminates the need to disclose your income or insurance status and bypassing the need to go through grants or school districts.

We’re here to help guide you through the application process so you can get the support you and your family needs.

Who is eligible for ITAC?

Eligibility for the Illinois ITAC includes the following:

The individual must be a resident of Illinois.
The individual must be 4 years of age, but you can still apply and when they are closer to 4, we will reach out to begin your application.
The individual must be non-verbal or have speech limitations that make it difficult or impossible to communicate effectively in daily life. This could include difficulty expressing needs, wants, or ideas using spoken language.

Get started and see if you're eligible by submitting your details in the web form above.

Do I need insurance to apply?

You do not need insurance, and you do not need to provide your income level to apply for the program. The initial step of starting your application only requires a few basic questions to help us understand your loved one's needs.

Once submitted, our program manager will reach out via phone or text to explain the application process and gather any additional information needed to submit your application.

What is AAC and the TippyTalk app?

AAC apps can help to give a non-verbal or speech-impaired person a way to be understood quickly. This helps resolve frustration, shortcut emotional outburst, and help caregivers or parents and their childing feel connected. A second goal is to show the child, in real time, how their need is expressed in language. It models speech for them while helping them feel better for being understood.

TippyTalk is a unique AAC app designed for non-verbal and speech-impaired users. It serves as a TWO-WAY communication tool that allows users to create simple sentences by selecting illustrations. These sentences can be READ ALOUD or SENT directly to a member of the user’s private community anytime, from anywhere. Members of their community can RESPOND with video, text, or audio.

TippyTalk helps children communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions in an accessible and effective way. Through your ITAC application, there are no subscription fees to use the app.

How does the TippyTalk speech app work?

The speaking function: The app shows the user an initial set of pictures which represent the beginning of a request. After choosing one of those, the user touches a picture to complete the thought. Since the app has thousands of possible pictures, the parent sets up the app so relevant pictures appear for that child. Parents can also customize the messages by uploading photos from their own devices to make the experience especially personal for the user. When a user touches the relevant pictures in sequence, the app speaks or sends a simple sentence for them.

The texting function: TippyTalk is unique among AAC speech apps because it can ALSO create a text out of the user's chosen picture sequence and send it to a caregiver's mobile phone. The user does not need to read or write. The app does the work. So parents, families, teachers and friends can be in communication with a non-verbal individual anytime from anywhere. The users community (parents, family, etc.) can respond back with audio, video, emojis or simple words the user understands.