It is recognized that a large number of people in this state, through no fault of their own, are unable to utilize telecommunication equipment due to the inability to hear or speak well enough or due to other disabilities. It is also recognized that present technology and services are available, but at significant cost, that would allow these people to utilize telecommunication equipment in their daily activities. There is, therefore, a need to make available the technology and services in the form of assistive telecommunication devices, a telecommunications relay service and communication facilitators for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired or adaptive equipment for people with disabilities at no additional cost beyond normal telephone service. The provision of assistive telecommunication devices, a telecommunications relay service, communication facilitators or adaptive equipment would allow those formerly unable to use telecommunication systems to more fully participate in the activities and programs offered by government and other community agencies, as well as in their family and social activities. The assistive telecommunication devices or adaptive equipment would be provided on a loan basis to each recipient, to be returned if the recipient moves out of the state. [1987 c.290 § 10; 1991 c.872 § 3; 1999 c.384 § 2; 2007 c.70 § 354; 2011 c.264 § 2; 2019 c.113 § 2]

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