A. The legislature finds that:
(1) it supports those provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that address the need to provide telecommunications access to all citizens;
(2) many New Mexicans are hearing or speech impaired and because of their impairment are unable to use traditional telecommunications equipment and services without assistance; and
(3) the state's hearing or speech impaired citizens are a substantial and valuable resource and their participation as contributing and productive members of our society would be enhanced substantially if full access to telecommunications service were made available to them.
B. It is the purpose of the Telecommunications Access Act to provide a statutory framework and funding under which the opportunity for full access to telecommunications services is made available to hearing or speech impaired New Mexicans.
History: Laws 1993, ch. 54, § 2.
Cross references. — For the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, see Titles 29, 42, and 47 of the United States Code.