10A NCAC 17D .0202       DEFINITIONS

The definitions of the terms defined in G.S. 143B-216.30 apply to all the rules in this Section. In addition, the following terms have the meaning specified in this Rule, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1)           "Applicant" means an individual who applies for equipment from the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program.

(2)           "Deaf" means the same as set forth in G.S. 143B-216.30.

(3)           "Deaf-blind person" means a deaf person who is also certified as legally blind.

(4)           "Division" means the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing of the Department of Health and Human Services or its staff.

(5)           "Equipment set" means any one or more of the following:

(a)           ring signaling device as defined in this Rule;

(b)           telebraille device as defined in this Rule;

(c)           telecommunications device for the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired, or TDD, defined as a keyboard mechanism attached to or in place of a standard telephone by some coupling device, used to transmit or receive signals through telephone lines;

(d)           volume control handset defined as a telephone handset or other telephone listening device which has an adjustable control for increasing the volume of the sound being produced by the telephone receiving unit; or

(e)           any other equipment, component, or accessories, excluding computers, designed to give deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech-impaired individuals telephone access.

(6)           "Hard of hearing" means having permanent hearing loss which is severe enough to necessitate the use of amplification devices to hear oral communication. The term "hard of hearing" may be substituted for the term "hearing impaired" as used elsewhere within these Rules.

(7)           "Program" means the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program, by which the Division provides equipment sets capable of serving the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech-impaired individuals as required under G.S. 143B-216.34.

(8)           "Recipient" means the user of the equipment set or the parent, person standing in loco parentis, or legal guardian of a minor user who is under 18 years of age.

(9)           "Regional center" means one of several centers located throughout North Carolina, each of which serves deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals within a defined region, and which is operated by the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

(10)         "Ring Signaling Device" means a mechanism such as a flashing light which visually or tactilely indicates that a communication is being received through a telephone line. This phrase also means a mechanism such as adjustable volume ringers and buzzers which audibly and loudly indicate an incoming telephone communication.

(11)         "Subscriber unit" means a single dwelling which receives basic telephone service and is subject to a monthly service charge for each access line.

(12)         "TEDP" means the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program administered by the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.

(13)         "Telebraille device" means a TDD which has a modem connected to a braille machine which prints out embossed braille characters on a paper roll for a deaf-blind person to read.

(14)         "User" means a deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired person or deaf-blind person within a subscriber unit for whose use the equipment set is provided. There may be multiple users in a subscriber unit, including users with different disabilities who require different equipment to best serve their needs.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 62-157; 143B-216.30;

Eff. December 1, 1988;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2007; April 1, 1990;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. May 20, 2017.