Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-9-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 612:20-9-1 - Special services and devices for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have communicative disorders

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.

(2)Hearing aids for senior citizens. Hearing aids may be purchased for individuals who are sixty (60) years of age or older and have a hearing loss of 35 decibels or greater in the better ear. The level of hearing loss is to be determined by a vendor audiologist selected by the applicant and having a current contract to provide services under this program. One hearing aid willbe purchased per person with the exception of (E) below. All services and equipment purchased will be paid at the contracted rate. The individual may be required to participate in the cost of services in the form of a co-payment as determined under (3) of this Section. Procedures for providing hearing aids under this program are presented in (A) through (D)of this Section.

(A)Application. An applicant will complete the Application for the Equipment Distribution Program and submit the completed application along with proof of income to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, DRS.

(B)Eligibility determination and authorization of services. Upon receipt of a completed application, DRS will determine the amount of any required co-payment in accordance with (3) of this Section. Staff will authorize an audiological evaluation to the preferred vendor designated on the application form. The referral source and applicant will be notified of the authorization and the amount of any required co-payment to be made to the DRS/235 Fund. The report of audiological evaluation is sent to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. If the result is a hearing loss of 35 decibels in the better ear, staff will issue an authorization for a hearing aid and appropriate ancillary services and devices in accordance with the vendor contract. The level of hearing loss will be determined averaging the readings reported at the 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 HZ and 4000 HZ frequency ranges.

(C)Appointments and transportation. DRS staff will notify the individual of any authorizations for evaluation or services. This notification will instruct the individual to contact his/her selected vendor for an appointment.

(D)Disposal of unused hearing aids. Service recipients will be encouraged to return hearing aids to DRS if no longer needed.

(E)Applicants who have hearing loss and are legally blind. If a hearing aid applicant meets the adiological criteria for (B) above, and is also legally blind, they can be approved to receive two hearing aids.

(3)Client participation in cost of services. Allowable income levels for these services will be 200% of the current income guidelines for food stamps. The monthly earnings, evaluated annually, that fall above the income guidelines create a surplus. Ten percent (10%) of that surplus will be the consumer's participation in the cost of services payable to DRS/Fund 235. If the surplus exceeds the service cost DRS will not participate.

(4)Disposal of unused telecommunications equipment and assistive communication devices. As with hearing aids, service recipients will be encouraged to return useable equipment to DRS if no longer needed.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-9-1

Added at 29 Ok Reg 1444, eff 7-1-12