(a)

(1) The Arkansas Rehabilitation Services is hereby directed to establish, administer, staff, and promote a statewide program to provide access to public telecommunications services by residents of Arkansas who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind, severely speech-impaired, or who have other disabilities that impair their ability to effectively access the telecommunications network. This program will enable these individuals to access specialized devices or services for telecommunications network access that is functionally equivalent to that enjoyed by individuals without disabilities.

(2) This program shall include, but is not limited to:

(A) The purchase and distribution of telecommunications devices and related devices for the persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind, severely speech-impaired, or who have other disabilities that impair their ability to effectively access the telecommunications network;

(B) The promulgation of procedures, regulations, rules, and criteria necessary to implement and administer this program, including accountability measures which utilize consumer participation in the selection and evaluation of equipment and the eligibility of applicants; and

(C) Other actions as may be necessary to implement and administer this program which are not otherwise prohibited by law.

(b) The Arkansas Rehabilitation Services shall employ at least one (1) full-time staff person to administer the equipment distribution program and may employ any additional support personnel for the program from within existing staff resources to assure statewide coverage for the program.