Ability Central (CCAF)

In fiscal year 2024, the California Communications Access Foundation (ccaf) managed and operated the deaf and disabled telecommunications program (ddtp) for the California public utilities commission (cpuc). Ddtp provides free specialized telecommunications equipment to anyone deaf or disabled in California who is unable to use a standard telephone. Ccaf provided a wide range of services aimed at helping these historically underserved populations, including home installations of equipment, support from service and call centers, distribution events, and the California relay service. In this fiscal year, ccaf provided support and equipment to more than 730,000 deaf or disabled californians before phasing out its contract with the cpuc to focus on its philanthropic efforts.

California Communications Access Foundation now focuses primarily on Ability Central, its philanthropic wing founded in 2010. The mission of Ability Central is to serve as a resource, convener, and educator working collaboratively to ensure that people who are deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent can communicate and Access information. Since its inception, Ability Central has granted more than $13.5m to 200+ projects, serving more than 500k people with disabilities through programs encouraging career development, training, and tech innovation. For fiscal year 2024, Ability Central awarded more than $1 million to 12 nonprofit organizations in California offering a diverse array of support and services to disabled communities. Ability Central also offers salesforce consulting and technical support to other nonprofits working to help people with disabilities. Through its portal website, Ability Central provided online information, resources, and education for 90k+ people with questions about disabilities and communication Access.