Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 612 - State Department of Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 20 - Special Schools › Subchapter 9 - Special Service Programs › Section 612:20-9-1 - Special services and devices for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have communicative disorders

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
This section applies to individuals with deafness, hard of
				  hearing, deaf-blindness or communicative disorders who require access to
				  telecommunication services and devices to enhance communication and contribute
				  to the individual's residential and personal safety. The DRS division providing
				  services under this section is authorized to share the case information of a
				  service applicant or recipient with other DRS staff serving the same
				  client.
(1)
Telecommunication
				and safety devices.
Consumers may be provided telecommunications
				equipment, personal or home safety devices, or other specialized equipment
				determined by individual need. The recipient of services may be asked to
				participate in the cost of the services provided based upon individual or
				family income in accordance with (d) of this Section. Equipment will not be
				replaced before five (5) years have lapsed unless determined by DRS staff to be
				malfunctioning and not caused by consumer misuse or neglect. Appeals of this
				waiting period must be presented in writing for administrative review. DRS
				staff will consider possible changes in disability. The consumer is responsible
				for the equipment when the manufacturer's warranty expires prior to the five
				(5) year period. DRS will provide surge protection which must be used. Failure
				to use surge protection will be considered consumer neglect. Additional
				requirements are stated in (A) through (E) of this Subsection.
(A) All recipients of equipment must be
				residents of the state.
(B) Medical
				or audiological verification will be required to support the applicant's
				diagnosis of a hearing loss to the extent the applicant cannot use the
				telephone, or communicative disorders to the extent speech is unintelligible.
				If verification is not available, DRS will authorize the initial audiological
				evaluation. Individuals with deaf-blindness may be referred to the deaf blind
				program to determine additional equipment needs. Documentation of legal
				blindness or inability to read standard print is required.
(C) Parents or other legal guardians must
				assume responsibility for the telecommunication devices assigned to clients
				under 18 years of age.
(D) The
				guidelines in (i) - (iv) of this Paragraph will be used in determining the
				priority of service.
(i) Qualified persons
				with disabilities living alone.
(ii) Qualified households where all residents
				have substantial disabilities.
(iii) Qualified households where two or more
				residents have substantial disabilities.
(iv) Qualified households where one of the
				residents has a substantial disability.
(E) To apply for assistance, an individual
				must complete an application and registration using the Application for the
				Equipment Distribution Program form. Applications may be obtained by contacting
				any DRS office. Equipment may be mailed to the closest DRS office for the
				consumer to pick up. If not picked up within 30 days, the equipment will be
				returned to DRS inventory to be issued to the next consumer on the waiting
				list.