1. (a)

   1. (1) Adaptive telecommunication equipment shall be provided in sufficient scope to meet the needs of eligible individuals.
   2. (2) Equipment and services shall be procured in a cost-effective manner, using the rules applicable to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services as a state public procurement unit.

2. (b)

   1. (1) TAP staff shall maintain a list of adaptive telecommunication equipment and services available through the program.
   2. (2) TAP staff will update the list to ensure the availability of equipment that meet the needs of eligible individuals.

3. (c) Adaptive equipment may be distributed that does not appear on the list provided with an individual’s application, but only if the alternate equipment is:

   1. (1) Comparably priced to equipment appearing on the list; and
   2. (2) Suited to meet the individual’s need for access to telecommunications service.

4. (d)

   1. (1) Adaptive telecommunication equipment that attaches to an existing telephone or replaces an existing telephone will be given first priority.
   2. (2) If first-priority equipment does not meet the individual’s need for access to telecommunications service, equipment that does not directly attach to or replace an existing telephone will be considered.

5. (e)

   1. (1) Eligible individuals may receive no more than two (2) items of equipment that provide direct access to telecommunications service.
   2. (2) Individuals may receive no more than four (4) items of equipment that provide alerts to activity on a telecommunications network (e.g., an audible or visual signaler-receiver).
6. (f) TAP staff may request that an individual demonstrate use of a particular item in order to ensure that the equipment best meets his or her need for access to telecommunications service.

Codification Notes: “TAP” means Telecommunications Access Program.