Section 10. Definitions

Part I. Definitions

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Alerting device" means a device that alerts individuals with a hearing loss of sounds around them.

"Amplification device" means a device that amplifies either incoming sounds for individuals who have a hearing loss or outgoing sounds for individuals who have a speech disability.

"Applicant" means a person who applies for assistive technology equipment.

"Application" means the TAP Application (VDDHH-TAP-1).

"Assistive technology equipment" means any device or adaptive equipment for telecommunications or alerting used by individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech-disabled.

"Audiologist" means any person who is licensed by the Department of Health Professions to engage in the practice of audiology.

"Completion date" means the date all supporting documentation for the application is received by the department.

"Coupon" means a voucher that may be used by the applicant towards the purchase of approved assistive technology equipment through the program.

"Deaf" means a hearing loss that requires use of a text telephone or Voice Carry Over Phone to communicate effectively on the telephone.

"Deafblind" means a dual loss of hearing and vision that requires use of a braille text telephone or a large visual display text telephone to communicate effectively on the telephone.

"Department" means the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.

"Family" means the applicant, his dependents and any person legally required to support the applicant, including a spouse.

"Fiscal constraint" means when projected expenditures may exceed appropriated funds for equipment distribution within a budgeted period.

"Gross income" means the income, total cash receipts before taxes from all sources of the applicant, his dependents, and any person legally required to support the applicant, including a spouse.

"Hard of hearing" means a hearing loss that requires use of either a text telephone or an amplification device to communicate effectively on the telephone.

"Hearing aid specialist" means a person who has a license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to fit and sell hearing aids.

"Hearing-disabled/visually-disabled" means a dual loss of hearing and vision that requires use of large visual display text telephone or a braille text telephone to communicate effectively on the telephone.

"Minor" means a person less than 18 years of age whose parent or legal guardian is legally responsible for his support.

"Physician" means a person who has a medical degree and a license to practice medicine in any one of the United States.

"Program" or "TAP" means Technology Assistance Program for distributing assistive technology equipment to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, hearing-disabled/visually-disabled, deafblind or speech-disabled and who meet eligibility requirements through an application process.

"Public assistance" means and includes Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); auxiliary grants to the aged, blind and disabled; medical assistance; food stamps; general relief; fuel assistance; and social services.

"Recipient" means a person who receives assistive technology equipment.

"Ring signal device" means a device that alerts an individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, hearing-disabled/visually-disabled or deafblind of an incoming call.

"Speech-disabled" means a loss of verbal communication ability that prohibits normal usage of a standard telephone handset.

"Speech-language pathologist" means any person who is licensed by the Department of Health Professions to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology.

"Text telephone" (hereinafter called TTY) means a nonvoice terminal device used to transmit and receive messages telephonically. This includes, but is not limited to, telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY) and computer software.

"VDDHH outreach specialist" means a person hired by or contracted with the department to provide outreach services and to assist the department in carrying out activities related to the Technology Assistance Program on either a regional or local level.

"Vendor" means a company that enters into a contract with the Commonwealth to provide assistive technology equipment as defined in this regulation.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR245-02-01 § 1.1, eff. September 27, 1989; amended, Volume 06, Issue 26, eff. October 24, 1990; Volume 08, Issue 13, eff. April 22, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 20, eff. July 27, 1994; Volume 19, Issue 04, eff. January 1, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§ 51.5-112 of the Code of Virginia.