There appear to be no existing or proposed federal regulations that address state programs assisting deaf, deafblind, and severely hard of hearing persons with the purchase of telecommunication equipment for their homes.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Illinois:
The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) provides telecommunication equipment to individuals in the state of Illinois that have established telephone service and have their application signed by a medical professional. ITAC is governed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council and is funded through a Telecommunication and Equipment Surcharge that is added to each resident’s phone bill. Title 83: Public Utilities; Chapter I: Illinois Commerce Commission; Subchapter F: Telephone Utilities; Part 755 Telecommunications Access For Persons With Disabilities
Iowa:
Telecommunications Access Iowa provides vouchers for “up to 95% of the average cost of specialized telephone category” for deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech impaired individuals. Typically, devices provided by Telecommunications Access Iowa are specialized items that allow individuals to use the phone, or know when the phone is ringing. Telecommunications Access Iowa will also process 15 applications per month that would allow the individual to receive an iPad for distance communication. Telecommunications Access Iowa is a program that is overseen by the Iowa Utility Board. Iowa Chapter 477C.4 Telecommunications devices for the deaf.
Michigan:
There appears to be no existing regulations in the state of Michigan that assists the deaf, deafblind, and severely hard of hearing persons with the purchase of telecommunication equipment for their homes.
Minnesota:
Minnesota’s Department of Human Services oversees the Minnesota Telephone Equipment Distribution program. An individuals’ eligibility is based on their annual gross income. The equipment available through the Telephone Equipment Distribution program includes specialized telephones for the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech impaired as well as accessories that alert deaf and hard of hearing individuals that a telephone call is being received. Minnesota Rules, Chapter 8775
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
The department formed an advisory committee to help develop the proposed rules. The committee met on three occasions to discuss potential impacts of changes to the rule. The committee included stake-holders, customers, and vendors. The department also held regional public listening sessions, to offer the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule changes.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
See “Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies.”
Effect on small business
The proposed rule is anticipated to have little to no economic impact if promulgated.
Agency contact person
Amber Mullett – Social Services Program Supervisor
Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(608) 261-7823 Voice
Statement on quality of agency data
The department complied with s. 227.14 (2m), Stats., for any data used to draft the rules and analyses. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission
Comments may be submitted to the agency contact person that is listed above until the deadline given in the upcoming notice of public hearing. The deadline for submitting comments and the notice of public hearing will be posted on the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Website at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/ after the hearing is scheduled. RULE TEXT
SECTION 1. DHS 78.03 (1) is amended to read:
DHS 78.03 (1) “Deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing” means a hearing loss significant enough to prevent the individual from using the telephone system accessing distance communication services without technological adaptations that facilitate effective communication in a visual, or audible, or tactile mode.
SECTION 2. DHS 78.03 (2m) and (2q) are created to read:
DHS 78.03 (2m) “Distance Communications” means an exchange of information between two different locations via transmission facilities using any part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
DHS 78.03 (2q) “Hearing Instrument Specialist” has the meaning given in s. 459. 01 (3) Stats..
SECTION 3. DHS 78.03 (3) through (8) are amended to read:
DHS 78.03 (3) “Household” means a residence unit whose members share a common living arrangement and finances.
DHS 78.03 (4) “Public service commission” or “PSC” means the Wisconsin public service commission of Wisconsin.
DHS 78.03 (5) “TAP manager” means the department’s staff member responsible for developing and implementing TAP overseeing the Telecommunication Assistance Program.
DHS 78.03 (6) “Telecommunication assistance program” or “TAP” means a financial assistance program created by s. 46.297, Stats., for the purpose of making distance communications and telecommunication devices available to individuals who are deaf, deafblind and severely hard of hearing persons who do not have the means to afford these devices. DHS 78.03 (7) “Telecommunication device” or “device” means any technology needed by a an individual who is deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing person to facilitate his or her the individual’s use of a telephone distance communications.
DHS 78.03 (8) “Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program” or “TEPP” means the financial assistance program under s. 196.218, Stats., and administered by the public service commission under s. PSC 160.071 to provide financial assistance to customers with a disability who have special needs certification in the purchase of equipment needed to personally access and use essential services of the telecommunications network. SECTION 4. DHS 78.04 (1) is and (1) (note) are repealed and recreated to read:
DHS 78.04 (1) Application form and hearing loss documentation. To apply for assistance from TAP, the applicant shall submit to the department a completed application form and any of the following:
(a) A signed certification of hearing loss form.
(b) An audiogram from a certified audiologist.
(c) Documentation of hearing tests conducted pursuant to ch. HAS 4, by a hearing instrument specialist, within 6 months of the date of the application, and that demonstrate the applicant’s need for hearing instruments. Note: Instructions on how to apply for the TAP program and all necessary forms can be found online at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/odhh/TAP/index.htm.
SECTION 5. DHS 78.04 (2) (Intro.) and (2) (b) are amended to read:
DHS 78.04 (2) Processing tap applications. The department shall process TAP applications for TAP services in the following manner:
DHS 78.04 (2) (b) The department shall review applications in the order they are received to determine whether the application is complete and includes all required attachments.
SECTION 6. DHS 78.04 (2) (c) is repealed.
SECTION 7. DHS 78.04 (2) (d) through (f) are amended to read:
(d) The department shall send the applicant written notification of the department’s decision on his or her application within 30 calendar days after the department determines the application complete. once all documentation is received.
(e) If the department denies assistance to the applicant, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision under subch. III, of ch.227, Stats., by filing a written request with the department, or may reapply if, due to a change in conditions, the applicant meets eligibility requirements under s. DHS 78.05. (f) Except as provided under par. (g), if If the department approves issuing a TAP voucher to the applicant, the applicant shall apply the voucher to the $100 co-payment requirement of the telecommunications equipment purchase program administered by the public service commission for all eligible applicants purchase of approved telecommunications devices.
