1. (a) Applicants must satisfy the following criteria in order to be determined eligible:

   1. (1) Residency in Arkansas;

   2. (2) Disability that impairs effective access to telecommunications services, including individuals who are:

      1. (A) Deaf or hard of hearing;
      2. (B) Deaf-blind;
      3. (C) Blind or vision impaired;
      4. (D) Speech-impaired;
      5. (E) Cognitively impaired; or
      6. (F) Mobility-impaired;

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Certification that the applicant:

2. (i) Has at least one (1) qualifying disability; and

   1. (ii) Would substantially benefit, in terms of access to telecommunications service, from the use of adaptive telecommunications equipment.

      1. (B) Certification may be supplied by a:

         1. (i) Medical professional;
         2. (ii) Home health provider;
         3. (iii) Audiologist;
         4. (iv) Speech pathologist;
         5. (v) Occupational or physical therapist;
         6. (vi) Social worker;
         7. (vii) Special education teacher; or
         8. (viii) Vocational rehabilitation counselor.
      2. (C) TAP staff will maintain a list of approved certifiers;

   2. (4)

      1. (A) Proof of active telecommunications service at the time of application or within thirty (30) days of submitting the application.

      2. (B) This includes:

         1. (i) A landline;
         2. (ii) Wireless service;
         3. (iii) Voice over internet; or
         4. (iv) Other telecommunications service.
      3. (C) Depending on the information provided in the application, TAP staff will consult with the individual as to acceptable documentation for this requirement;

   3. (5)

      1. (A) Adjusted gross income not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year.
      2. (B) Adjusted gross income for applicants under the age of eighteen (18) will be determined by the income of the applicant’s parent or guardian.
      3. (C) Otherwise eligible applicants with adjusted gross incomes exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year will be charged one-third (1/3) of the cost to TAP for any equipment distributed under the program; and
   4. (6) Agreement to follow all rules and related conditions for TAP, evidenced by the individual’s signature on the TAP application.

3. (b)

   1. (1) Eligibility determinations will remain in effect for three (3) years.
   2. (2) After three (3) years, an individual must reapply in order to be considered for further participation in TAP.

Codification Notes: “TAP” means Telecommunications Access Program.