209.251. Definitions.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

Definitions.

209.251. As used in sections 209.251 to 209.259, the following termsmean:

(1) "Adaptive telecommunications equipment", equipment thattranslates, enhances or otherwise transforms the receiving or sending oftelecommunications into a form accessible to individuals with disabilities.The term adaptive telecommunications equipment includes adaptive telephoneequipment and other types of adaptive devices such as computer input andoutput adaptions necessary for telecommunications access;

(2) "Basic telecommunications access line", a telecommunications linewhich provides service from the telephone company central office to thecustomer's premises which enables the customer to originate and terminatelong distance and local telecommunications;

(3) "Commission", the public service commission;

(4) "Consumer support and outreach", services that include, but arenot limited to, assisting individuals with disabilities or their familiesor caregivers in the selection of the most appropriate adaptivetelecommunications equipment to meet their needs, providing basic trainingand technical assistance in the installation and use of adaptivetelecommunications equipment, and development and dissemination ofinformation to increase awareness and use of adaptive telecommunicationsequipment;

(5) "Department", the department of labor and industrial relations;

(6) "Eligible subscriber", any individual who has been certified asdeaf, hearing-impaired, speech-impaired or as having another disabilitythat causes the inability to use telecommunications equipment and servicesby a licensed physician, audiologist, speech pathologist, hearinginstrument specialist or a qualified agency;

(7) "Missouri assistive technology advisory council" or "council",the body which directs the Missouri assistive technology program pursuantto sections 191.850 to 191.865, RSMo;

(8) "Program administrator", the entity or entities designated todesign the statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program,develop and implement the program policies and procedures, assure deliveryof consumer support and outreach and account for and pay all programexpenses;

(9) "Surcharge", an additional charge which is to be paid by localexchange telephone company subscribers pursuant to the rate recoverymechanism established pursuant to sections 209.255, 209.257 and 209.259 inorder to implement the programs described in sections 209.251 to 209.259;

(10) "Telecommunications", the transmission of any form ofinformation including, but not limited to, voice, graphics, text, dynamiccontent, and data structures of all types whether they are in electronic,visual, auditory, optical or any other form;

(11) "Telecommunications device for the deaf" or "TDD", atelecommunications device capable of allowing deaf, hearing-impaired orspeech-impaired individuals to transmit messages over basic telephoneaccess lines by sending and receiving typed messages.