In 1994, the KCDHH worked closely with the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation (H.B. 538, Sponsored by Rep. Rex Smith) that would provide specialized telecommunications equipment (such as amplified phones, wireless devices, CapTel, TDD, VCO or TeliTalk) at no charge to deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired residents of Kentucky.

The Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) of KY and the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) which was enacted by law in 1991, together provide equal access to the telephone for all citizens. For a link with more information about the Relay Service. For a link to the current Relay Service Provider.. For the National Listing of Telephone Relay Service Numbers and Providers.

The Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) of KY is funded by a surcharge on all access (both wired and wireless) lines throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kentucky became the 24th state to implement a specialized equipment distribution program when KCDHH started the TAP in July 1995 and the program continues today. The name was changed to Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) of KY in 2006 to more equitably represent the population it serves.