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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 22. Social Services
Agency 20. Department For The Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing
Chapter 20. Regulations Governing Eligibility Standards and Application Procedures for the Distribution of Assistive Technology
11/12/2026

22VAC20-20-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Alerting device" means a device that alerts individuals with a hearing loss of sounds around them.

"Amplification device" means a device that amplifies either incoming sounds for individuals who have a hearing loss or outgoing sounds for individuals who have speech difficulties.

"Applicant" means a person who applies for assistive technology.

"Application" means the TAP Application (VDDHH-TAP-1).

"Assistive technology " means any device, equipment, or adaptive technology used to access telecommunications, communications, or information technology used by individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have speech difficulties.

"Audiologist" means any person who is licensed by the Department of Health Professions to engage in the practice of audiology.

"Deaf" means a hearing loss that requires use of assistive technology to communicate effectively.

"Deaf and hard of hearing regional specialist" means a person hired by or contracted with the department to provide outreach services and to assist the department in carrying out activities related to the Technology Assistance Program on either a regional or local level.

"Deafblind" means a dual loss of hearing and vision that requires use of assistive technology to communicate effectively.

"Department" means the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.

"Family" means the applicant, the applicant's dependents, and any person legally required to support the applicant, including a spouse.

"Fiscal constraint" means when projected expenditures may exceed appropriated funds for equipment distribution within a budgeted period.

"Gross income" means the income, total cash receipts before taxes from all sources of the applicant, the applicant's dependents, and any person legally required to support the applicant, including a spouse.

"Hard of hearing" means a hearing loss that requires use of assistive technology to communicate effectively.

"Hearing aid specialist" means a person who has a license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to fit and sell hearing aids.

"Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age whose parent or legal guardian is legally responsible for the person's support.

"Pay coupon" means a voucher that may be used by the applicant toward the purchase of approved assistive technology through the program.

"Person with a hearing and vision loss" means a dual loss of hearing and vision that requires use of assistive technology to communicate effectively.

"Person with speech difficulty" means a loss of verbal communication ability that requires use of assistive technology to communicate effectively.

"Physician" means a person who has a medical degree and a license to practice medicine in any state within the United States.

"Program" or "TAP" means Technology Assistance Program for distributing assistive technology to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind; individuals with a hearing and vision loss; or individuals with speech difficulties and who meet eligibility requirements through an application process.

"Public assistance" means and includes Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); auxiliary grants to the aged, blind, and disabled; medical assistance; food stamps; general relief; fuel assistance; and social services.

"Recipient" means a person who receives assistive technology.

"Ring signal device" means a device that alerts an individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind or an individual with a hearing and vision loss of an incoming call or sound.

"Speech-language pathologist" means any person who is licensed by the Department of Health Professions to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology.

"Vendor" means a company that enters into a contract with the Commonwealth to provide assistive technology as defined in this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§ 51.5-112 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR245-02-01 § 1.1, eff. September 27, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 26, eff. October 24, 1990; Volume 8, Issue 13, eff. April 22, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 20, eff. July 27, 1994; Volume 19, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 43, Issue 3, eff. November 5, 2026.

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