Voice Options Program 2026 – 2029

The Voice Options Program (VOP), administered by the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), is designed to provide Californians of all ages with verified speech or language disabilities access to speech-generating devices (SGDs) and speech-generating applications. Originating under the broader Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) governed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the initiative aims to remove communication barriers through assistive technology. DDTP's foundation stems from Public Utilities Code Section 2881, which mandates the provision of specialized telecommunications equipment to individuals with disabilities affecting hearing, vision, mobility, speech, and cognition. The Department of Rehabilitation serves as the state’s designated agency for both vocational rehabilitation and assistive technology services, working with community partners statewide. This Request for Application (RFA # G26-VOP-01) seeks qualified nonprofit and community-based organizations with demonstrated capacity in assistive technology service delivery to implement the VOP over a three-year grant term from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. The DOR anticipates awarding up to $3.15 million per fiscal year across approximately 20 total awards, with a maximum of $250,000 annually per awarded region. Applicants may propose to serve one or multiple regions, and may be awarded multiple regions subject to population needs and DOR’s regional distribution strategy. Services under the program include individual identification and eligibility verification, device demonstrations and training, short-term and long-term device loans, and associated reporting and outreach activities. Allowable expenditures under the grant include personnel time for core service delivery, reasonable travel costs (subject to California Human Resources guidelines), outreach, purchase of new iPads or Android SGDs (with minimum 128GB storage), protective device accessories, SGD warranties, shipping (capped at $100 per device), and approved VOP applications (seven identified in the RFA). Organizations must manage Apple and/or Google accounts for distributing redeemable gift codes for applications and are required to retain documentation for a minimum of seven years post-grant period. Indirect costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Only individuals with speech or language disabilities verified by licensed clinicians or agencies are eligible for VOP services. No direct payments are made to consumers. Applications must consist of a completed narrative (max 10 pages), detailed budget and budget narrative per region (max 5 pages each), and all required attachments as outlined in Attachments A through D. Required documents include articles of incorporation, IRS and Franchise Tax Board nonprofit status letters, proof of insurance, and a completed Cover Sheet and Assurances. The application must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 18, 2026. The review process includes an administrative compliance check, scoring based on organizational capacity (50 points), proposed work plan (40 points), and budget feasibility (10 points), with a required minimum score of 75 points for award consideration. Award decisions are tentatively scheduled to be posted by April 10, 2026. Appeals must be filed by May 11, 2026. Selected grantees must obtain prior approval for reimbursable expenses, submit detailed invoices, and comply with extensive record-keeping, consumer privacy, and accessibility standards. Grantees are also subject to state and federal audit requirements and must ensure nondiscriminatory practices in accordance with state law. The grant explicitly prohibits supplanting other funding sources and requires that materials and services supported under the program be accessible and branded with DOR identifiers. The VOP funding cycle is recurring and updated regularly. The current application closes on March 18, 2026, with the next expected cycle beginning in March 2027. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered unless the program is renewed in a future cycle. Grantees are expected to track and report monthly on service metrics, including counts of device demonstrations, loans, and outreach efforts. All consumer data must be de-identified in compliance with state confidentiality laws and federal privacy regulations.

Ensure all documents are submitted; focus on SMART goals; document outreach and device tracking methods clearly.