SCEDP | Accessible Tech

SCEDP is a state program administered by the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff. It provides no cost communications equipment to South Carolinians living with a hearing or speech challenge. This program is funed by a surcharge on all South Carolina residential and business phone lines. As an approved vendor with SCEDP, you can access the latest Apple iPad with the TippyTalk AAC speech app at no cost.

Here’s how it works: After starting your application, an Accessible Tech program coordinator will contact you for a brief call or text to guide you through the SCEDP application process. Once approved, we will ship your new iPad and guide you through the setup process for the TippyTalk app.

Submit web form by starting your application

Brief conversation with our program coordinator

Submit required documentation

SLP (speech therapist) confirms speech eligibility

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 TippyTalk Financially accessible Empower your loved one

iPad and TippyTalk

Access the latest iPad & TippyTalk App at no cost to you

You can access the latest Apple iPad 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. Learn more about TippyTalk here.

Financially Accessible

Through SCEDP, 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 loved oneis empowered to take part in social and educational opportunities they may have previously struggled with. This increased independence, reduces isolation, and 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 coordinator 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 SC 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.
SCEDP requires certification from a licensed speech therapist. If you're not currently working with one, we can arrange a teletherapy appointment at no cost to you.

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

How do you confirm a speech need?

Once we’ve confirmed your loved one meets the age requirement and appears to have a qualifying need, we’ll arrange a short teletherapy appointment with our in-house Speech Language Pathologist if you’re not already working with one.

During this appointment, the SLP will make an assessment to confirm the speech need and provide the required information and signature for the application. The appointment is brief and is a required step in the process.

Why do I need to submit another form?

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

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

Providing consent to receive SMS texts from us allows us to communicate with you by text to update you about the status of your application.

Is SCEDP fully funded?

SCEDP is funded by a surcharge on all South Carolina residential and business phone lines, which appears on everyone's monthly phone bill.

Because every South Carolinian contributes to the program, we encourage all eligible individuals to take advantage of it. SCEDP is completely funded for those who qualify, providing no-cost communication devices, including an iPad and an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app, to South Carolina residents who meet the eligibility requirements.

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 SCEDP application, there are no subscription fees to use the app. You will have free app access for 5 years.

How long does SCEDP application process take?

Completing the web form will take less than five minutes. The next big step will be submit your documents and get an assessment done by your private SLP, school SLP, or our in house SLP.

From there, we submit the completed application. We are a new vendor to this program, so once we understand timings, we'll update this information.

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 South Carolina resident who is age 3 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.com at any time.

What is SCEDP and why should I apply?

SCEDP (South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program) is a state program administered by the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS). It provides no-cost communications equipment to South Carolinians living with a hearing or speech challenge. The program is funded by a surcharge on all South Carolina residential and business phone lines.

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.

SCEDP 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 SCEDP?

Eligibility for SCEDP includes the following:

The individual must be a resident of South Carolina.
The individual must be 3 years of age, but you can still apply and when they are closer to 3, 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 coordinator 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 SCEDP application, there are no subscription fees to use the app.

How does the TippyTalk AAC 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.