Voice Options Program Provider in California
A Free AAC Device Is Possible
Demo, trial, setup, and training are all covered. RL Therapy Group is an approved Voice Options Program provider in three California regions.
What Is the Voice Options Program?
The Voice Options Program (VOP) is a California state grant from the Department of Rehabilitation that gives eligible residents access to a free iPad with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) software. It is designed for people who are non-speaking or who communicate in ways others do not yet fully understand.
What Providers Should Know:
Once you submit a referral, RL Therapy Group takes it from there. We handle authorization paperwork, application selection, setup, and training, and we keep you in the loop throughout. Providers are welcome to join the training sessions. Your client remains your client.
What Families Should Know:
There is no cost to you and no insurance required. The Voice Options Program is available to eligible Californians statewide. RL Therapy Group is an approved provider in three regions. If someone in your life communicates differently and has not yet had access to a high-tech communication tool, this program was built for them.
VOP Commonly Supports Children and Adults With:
- Autism
- Childhood apraxia of speech
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Developmental delays
- ALS
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rare genetic conditions
This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether a client or loved one qualifies, reach out, and we will help determine the best support.
As a physician, SLP, or other provider…
You Already Have Enough
on Your Plate
Navigating AAC device funding takes time most providers do not have. Most providers know their clients need a device but have no clear path to obtaining one without a significant administrative burden.
That is exactly what our team is here for.
- VOP Funding Access Requires an Approved Provider
- The Original Provider Stays in the Picture
The VOP service we provide covers more than just getting a device in hand. Each client receives a demo, AAC device trial, device personalization, and two training sessions. Training sessions are open to everyone in the person’s care, including current providers and family members.
- Your Referral Takes Minutes, the Work That Follows Takes Weeks
From authorization paperwork to device personalization, there are several steps between a referral and a device in hand. Our dedicated team of AAC specialists manages it all. As a provider, you can receive updates throughout the process. The first step is yours. Everything after that is ours.
Everything Included, Start to Finish
Getting here took enough. Here is everything our team takes care of from this point forward.
Free Consultation
Not sure if you qualify or need an evaluation first? The free consultation is the perfect place to figure that out and get a clear picture of what comes next.
Device Demo
An SLP with specialized AAC knowledge guides you and your loved one through a hands-on demo of VOP devices and applications. Together, you identify which system fits their communication style, daily life, and goals.
Short-Term Device Trial
Your loved one is mailed a loaner iPad to keep at home for up to 14 days. Using it in their own environment shows what a demo alone cannot.
Device Setup
Once you’ve chosen the application that’s the best fit, we’ll handle personalizing the device so it’s ready to use.
Two Dedicated Training Sessions
A minimum of two hours of training sessions is included for your loved one, your family, caregivers, and anyone involved in their care. Existing providers and referring clinicians are welcome to join.
Ongoing Coordination
Everyone involved stays informed throughout the process. Nothing falls through the cracks between the first conversation and the final training session.
What Comes Next
VOP covers the device and the initial training. If your loved one already has an SLP, OT, or another provider, that relationship will remain unchanged, and we’ll coordinate with them. We are also available to consult with your existing provider to ensure the device becomes a real part of your daily life. If you want to continue working with your SLP at RL Therapy Group, we’re happy to provide continued AAC and speech therapy beyond the VOP process.
See If We Serve Your Area
We are approved Voice Options Program providers in three areas of California. If your county is listed below, you are in the right place. Because all of our services are delivered online, distance is not a barrier to getting experienced, qualified support.
Central Valley and Sierra Nevada:
San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, Alpine
North Bay and Northern California Coast:
Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte
Southern Border Region
San Diego, Imperial Valley
Not seeing your county?
Who Qualifies for a Free AAC Device Through VOP?
The honest answer is that this program is open to almost anyone who needs it. There are no income limits, no insurance requirements, and no age restrictions. If you or your loved one is non-speaking, has difficulty being understood by others, and has not yet had access to a high-tech communication tool, you are likely eligible.
The only requirement to work with us is that you live within one of our three California regions. VOP providers serve all areas of California, so if you are outside our coverage area, we are happy to help point you toward the right provider.
How to Get Started
For Providers
- Submit a referral using the form on this page
- We reach out to your client and their family to get the process started
- We handle everything from there, keep you informed at each milestone, and collaborate with you throughout
For Families
- Schedule a free consultation to find out if VOP is the best path forward
- We guide you through the VOP process, helping your loved one access a free AAC device
- Your loved one has a device that fits, the training to use it, and more ways to communicate every day
One Family’s Experience
“This team deserves 5 stars and more. I was referred here from my speech pathologist to acquire an AAC device for my son through the Voice Options Program. They made the process so quick and easy, and I am very grateful to have had their help through this.
Brenda was always so attentive, answered all my questions, and was very helpful with scheduling appointments. Christine was also amazing and very helpful through our Zoom meetings.
Overall, very happy with the team, and if anyone needs to go through voice options to acquire an AAC device for their loved ones, this is definitely the place. Thank you all again!”
Ana V.
Voice Options Program FAQs
What is your role in my client's ongoing care?
It fully depends on what is most beneficial to you and your client/patient.
If you are not an SLP, we can support your client through the full VOP process and continue with ongoing AAC therapy and speech support beyond the device. You remain connected to their care in whatever way fits your relationship, and our team fills the gap in ways that complement your work with them.
If you are an SLP, think of us as a collaborative resource. We handle the VOP device process, welcome your involvement at every stage, including the training sessions, and are available for continued consultation as your client builds confidence with their new system. If continued AAC support would benefit them, we are happy to discuss what that looks like alongside your existing relationship.
In either case, our goal is the same. We are not here to replace anyone. We are here to make the device process easier, support the people who need it for as long as that is helpful, and make sure nothing falls through the gap.
What paperwork is required from me?
Just the referral form on this page. We handle the authorization paperwork and administrative steps from there. If we need anything additional, we will reach out directly.
Can I attend the training sessions?
Yes. Training sessions are open to everyone involved in the client’s care, including referring providers and existing clinicians. We welcome your participation.
Does RL Therapy Group provide ongoing AAC therapy after VOP?
Yes. VOP covers the device and the initial training. For clients who want continued support as they build fluency, we offer ongoing AAC therapy beyond the VOP process.
What is AAC?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It refers to any tool or system that supports or expands how someone communicates, from picture-based apps to text-to-speech technology. AAC does not replace someone’s existing communication. It adds to it, giving people more ways to express themselves, connect with others, and participate more fully in daily life.
For a full overview of AAC, how it works, and who it supports, visit our AAC services page.
Who is behind the Voice Options Program?
The Voice Options Program is a California state initiative funded through a partnership between the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) and administered by the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). The program’s goal is to ensure full and equal communication access for all Californians with disabilities. RL Therapy Group is an approved DOR Voice Options Program provider serving three regions of California.
Is there any cost to the family?
No. The VOP program covers the full cost of the iPad and the communication application. There are no income limits and no insurance requirements.
Does my child need a diagnosis to qualify?
Not necessarily. VOP does require some documentation of a communication need, but a formal diagnosis is not always required. If you are unsure whether you have the right documentation, the free consultation is the right place to start. We will help you figure out next steps.
How long is the trial period?
Up to 14 days. During that time, your child or loved one uses a loaner iPad, preloaded with multiple applications, to find the best fit for their real-world daily environment.
What happens if the device is not the right fit?
That is exactly what the trial period is for. Your loved one has time to try multiple applications in their own environment before any decisions are made. The goal is to find what truly works before the long-term device is set up.
Can we get ongoing therapy after we receive the device?
Yes. VOP covers the device and the initial training sessions. For families who want to keep building, we offer ongoing AAC therapy. A device is most powerful with continuing support.
What AAC applications are available through VOP?
Through VOP, your loved one has access to seven applications:
Proloquo2Go
A symbol-based app that is highly customizable and grows with the user over time. One of the most widely used AAC apps available.
Built on a motor-based approach where each word is accessed through a consistent movement pattern, designed to build speed and fluency over time.
TouchChat HD with WordPower
A robust vocabulary system with flexible options for a wide range of communication levels and goals.
A grid and visual scene-based app designed for a wide range of users, including those who are newer to AAC.
A text-based app for people who are literate and prefer to type their messages rather than select symbols.
GoTalk NOW Plus
A visual, accessible app that serves as a straightforward starting point for people new to AAC.
Predictable
A text-to-speech app for literate users, with word prediction and a personal phrase bank to support faster, more natural communication.
During the device demo, our team walks through the options to ensure the right fit is found before any decisions are made.
Access to the Voice Options Program Starts Here
Every person who goes through this process walks away with more than a device. They walk away with a tool that fits, the support to use it, and a team that stays in their corner.
We’re here when you’re ready.
Ready to Get Started? Let’s Find the Right Next Step.
Fill out the form below, and our team will be in touch within two business days to learn more about your needs and help you explore the right options.
