Telecommunications, Sensory, and Technological Aids and Devices

(1) Telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids and devices include: alerting and signaling devices; amplified or text telephones and personal and large area FM assistive listening devices for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Such devices or aids may include but are not limited to: visual or vibrating alerts for doorbells; kitchen timers; alarm clocks and smoke detectors. These aids may be needed by an individual with hearing loss instead of or in addition to hearing aids. Telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids and devices may be provided only to the extent necessary to enable an individual to attain a suitable employment outcome or as necessary to enable an individual to complete an assessment, trial work experience or extended evaluation to determine eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs (2) Evaluations, prescriptions, installations, and fittings for telecommunications, sensory, and technological aids and devices must be performed by skilled personnel who meet applicable licensing or certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Aids, devices and related services must meet established state or federal health and safety standards. The Commission may establish criteria and limits designed to ensure product quality, durability, safety, and reliability. (3) The Commission may retain legal title and control of any aids and devices purchased for an individual. Such legal title and control shall be in accordance with all applicable Massachusetts laws, regulations and related requirements governing title, use, replacement, disposition, and transfer. The Commission may require the return of such aids and devices if it determines the aids or devices are not being utilized for the purposes for which it was provided. All aids and devices shall be returned to the Commission in good condition upon request. Aids and devices shall not be attached, confiscated, or otherwise encumbered by creditors or other sources. At such time as an individual is performing successfully in employment and considered to have attained his/her vocational rehabilitation goals, title to and control of aids and devices may be transferred to the individual. (4) Rates, fees, and expenditures for telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids and devices are subject to all applicable Commonwealth of Massachusetts statutory, regulatory, and related requirements governing purchases of services and goods. (5) Telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids and devices are subject to the determination of financial participation and to consideration of any comparable benefit available to an individual to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of telecommunications, sensory and other technological aids and devices.