Chapter DHS 78
TELECOMMUNICATION ASSISTANCE FOR DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND
SEVERELY HARD OF HEARING PERSONS
DHS 78.01 Authority and purpose. DHS 78.04 Application procedure. DHS 78.05 Eligibility requirements. DHS 78.06 TAP assistance restrictions. DHS 78.07 Purchase and care of telecommunication devices. Ch. DHS 78 NoteNote: Chapter HSS 70 was created by emergency rule effective January 21, 1985; chapter HSS 70 was renumbered to chapter HSS 270 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, December, 1988, No. 396. Chapter HSS 270 was renumbered chapter HFS 78 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, December, 1996, No. 492. Ch. DHS 78 NoteNote: Chapter HFS 78 as it existed on July 31, 2003 was repealed and a new chapter HFS 78 was created Register July 2003 No. 571, effective August 1, 2003. Chapter HFS 78 was renumbered to chapter DHS 78 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635. DHS 78.01DHS 78.01 Authority and purpose. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of s. 46.297 (4), Stats., for the purpose of implementing the telecommunication assistance program (TAP) for persons who are deaf, deafblind, or severely hard of hearing. The chapter sets forth eligibility requirements, uniform application procedures, criteria for granting assistance and policies relating to the purchase and maintenance of the telecommunications equipment. DHS 78.01 HistoryHistory: CR 03-001: cr. Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03. DHS 78.02DHS 78.02 Applicability. This chapter applies to the department and to all deaf, deafblind, and severely hard of hearing persons who apply to the department for program funding for the purchase of telecommunication equipment for their homes. DHS 78.02 HistoryHistory: CR 03-001: cr. Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03. DHS 78.03DHS 78.03 Definitions. In this chapter: DHS 78.03(1)(1) “Deaf, deafblind, or severely hard of hearing” means a hearing loss significant enough to prevent the individual from accessing distance communication services without technological adaptations that facilitate effective communication in a visual, audible, or tactile mode. DHS 78.03(2)(2) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of health services. DHS 78.03(2m)(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(3)(3) “Household” means a residence unit whose members share a common living arrangement and finances. DHS 78.03(4)(4) “Public service commission” or “PSC” means the public service commission of Wisconsin. DHS 78.03(5)(5) “TAP manager” means the department’s staff responsible for overseeing the Telecommunication Assistance Program. DHS 78.03(6)(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. DHS 78.03(7)(7) “Telecommunication device” or “device” means any technology needed by an individual who is deaf, deafblind, or severely hard of hearing to facilitate the individual’s use of distance communications. DHS 78.03(8)(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.