Texas STAP - Start Application
Ready to begin your application?
Provide some information about you and your speech impaired family member and we’ll send your pre-filled application for your signature.
Once you complete this form:
- A family advocate will reach out by phone or text to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.
- Your application will be delivered to your designated mailing address from a USPS Priority Mail envelope. Please open, sign and return.
- You will need to provide proof of TX residency like a TX driver’s license or ID, or a utility bill in your name. You can send those to us via text or email after you send back your signed application.
- STAP requires certification from a licensed speech therapist. We will arrange a 20-minute teletherapy appointment at no cost to you.
Questions & answers
What happens after I fill out the details above?
Once you've filled out the form above:
- A family advocate will reach out by phone or text to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.
- Your application will be delivered to your designated mailing address from a USPS Priority Mail envelope. Please open, sign and return.
- You will need to provide proof of TX residency like a TX driver’s license or ID, or a utility bill in your name. You can send those to us via text or email after you send back your signed application.
- STAP requires certification from a licensed speech therapist. We will arrange a 20-minute teletherapy appointment at no cost to you.
If you have questions or want more guidance, you can contact us at any time at learnmore@accessible-tech.org, 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 this form that includes more requirements for the STAP application kickstarts your application process. Once we receive these details and determine your eligibility, we send the filled out application form to your designated mailing address to sign and send back. We are then one step closer to finalizing your application for STAP.
Is STAP really free?
Yes! Texas STAP (Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program) is completely free for eligible individuals. It provides no-cost communication devices, including an iPad and an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app, to Texas 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 STAP application, there are no subscription fees to use the app.
How long does STAP application process take?
Completing the form will take less than five minutes. The next big step will be to have a short interview with a licensed speech therapist, which we can arrange. This will take about 30 minutes of your time. From there, we submit the completed application. Usually STAP takes anywhere from 3-6 weeks to approve and then we send your iPad with pre-loaded TippyTalk app.
Can my family apply for an adult child or relative?
Yes. We can help you apply with the STAP program for a device for any Texas resident who is age 5 and above who needs this type of tool to communicate in daily life. While most of the 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 with pre-loaded TippyTalk app, you will receive an instruction pack on how to 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!
What is STAP and why should I apply?
STAP (Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program) provides eligible participants with a free iPad and free access to the TippyTalk AAC app.
Many parents we speak to have struggled to find a cost-effective way to get speech devices for their children. STAP makes this process easier by eliminating 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 need for your child.
Who qualifies for STAP?
To qualify for the Texas STAP, the following criteria must be met:
- The individual must be a resident of Texas.
- The individual must be 5 years of age, but you can still apply and when they are closer to 5, 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 qualify by submitting your details in the 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 submitting your details only requires a few basic questions to help us understand your loved one's needs.
Once submitted, we’ll schedule a call with one of our team members to gather any additional information needed to submit your application.
What is AAC and the TippyTalk app?
AAC apps can help to give a nonverbal or speech-impaired person a way to be understood quickly. This helps resolve frustration, shortcut emotional outburst, and help the parent and child 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, who can RESPOND with video or audio.
TippyTalk helps children communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions in an accessible and effective way. Through your STAP application, there are no subscription fees to use the app.
How does the TippyTalk speech app work?
The speaking function: The app will show 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 upload photos from their own phones to make the experience especially personal for the child. When a user touches the relevant pictures in sequence, the app speaks 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 child does not need to read or write. The app does the work. So parents, family and friends can be in communication with a nonverbal child when they are not together. The parent can respond with audio, video, emojis or simple words the child understands.