Washington Administrative Code

"AOC" means the administrative office of the courts, established in chapter 2.56 RCW."Amplified telephone" means an electrical device that increases the volume or tone of sounds being received during a telephone call."Applicant" means a client who applies for specialized telecomm…

(1) These social services relating to hearing loss are offered by qualified service providers and ODHH staff throughout the state:(a) Information and referral about issues related to hearing loss;(b) Advocacy on behalf of people with hearing loss;(c) Training on deaf awareness an…

Qualified service providers are organizations or businesses that contract with ODHH to provide social services related to hearing loss. Examples of qualified service providers include: Regional deaf and hard of hearing centers, relay service providers, and trainers for telecommun…

(1) Clients may request telecommunications equipment from TAS.(2) For clients to receive equipment, TAS staff must approve equipment requests.(3) To be approved, telecommunications equipment must help people with hearing loss or speech impairments to:(a) Have independent use of t…

In the use of telecommunications equipment, neither TAS nor contracted qualified service providers offer:(1) Replacement batteries for any telecommunications equipment, except for deaf-blind equipment;(2) Replacement paper for TTYs;(3) Replacement light bulbs for signal equipment…

(1) Washington state residents may apply to receive telecommunications equipment from TAS if they:(a) Are at least school aged; and(b) Are certified as having hearing loss or speech impairments.(2) Nonprofit organizations may apply to receive telecommunications equipment, as spec…

(1) A professional must certify that applicants have hearing loss and/or speech impairments and are eligible to receive telecommunications equipment from TAS.(2) These professionals include:(a) A person who is licensed or certified by the department of health to provide health ca…

(1) To request specialized telecommunications equipment, an applicant must send a completed "Application for Telecommunications Equipment" form (DSHS 14-264) to TAS. To request an application, contact ODHH at 1- 800-422-7930 V/TTY.(2) The application form must be signed by an app…

To meet income standards for telecommunications equipment from TAS, an applicant's income includes any of the following:(1) Earned income, such as wages and tips;(2) Social Security benefits;(3) Unearned income, such as interest, dividends, and pensions;(4) Family's share of inco…

(1) When approving an application for telecommunications equipment, TAS staff must inform the applicant in writing about:(a) The receipt of the applicant's completed application form;(b) Any cost that applicants will incur for equipment; and(c) The time frame when the applicant m…

(1) For an initial application for services, TAS must deny an application for telecommunications equipment if an applicant:(a) Does not meet the eligibility requirements of WAC 388-818-0090; or(b) Has received similar equipment from TAS within the last three years.(2) For an appl…

Clients may renew their applications for telecommunications equipment when:(1) Additional telecommunication equipment is necessary to meet the client's needs; or(2) Equipment no longer works and it's been more than three years since he or she first received equipment.Note: If les…

When renewing an application for telecommunications equipment, a client must:(1) Complete a new application, including recent information on total annual family income and family size; and(2) Go through the same procedures as first-time applicants (outlined in WAC 388-818-0090 th…

(1) A nonprofit organization may be eligible for telecommunications equipment when these two criteria are met:(a) Only nonprofit organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the internal revenue code, are eligible for any equipment from TAS; and(b) Nonprofit organizations must serve…

(1) To apply for reconditioned equipment, a nonprofit organization must provide to TAS the following:(a) A completed application form, "Nonprofit Organization Application for Reconditioned Equipment" (DSHS 14-440), which can be obtained by calling ODHH at 1- 800-422-7930;(b) A le…

(1) TAS staff must consider family size and household income in determining how much the applicant must pay for telecommunications equipment. Financial responsibility ranges from no cost to one hundred percent of actual cost based on federal poverty guidelines.(2) Exception: If t…

(1) To request a waiver (exception) of equipment cost, an applicant must write a letter to the ODHH director explaining the reasons for inability to pay for equipment. Letters can be mailed to: ODHH, Attn: Director, P.O. Box 45301, Olympia WA 98504-5301.(2) ODHH notifies the appl…

For a client to receive purchased telecommunications equipment, these two conditions must be met:(1) TAS must receive full payment before an eligible client receives telecommunications equipment; and(2) The applicant or the applicant's parent/legal guardian must provide a signed …

Telecommunications equipment is owned by the client when the client or the parent/legal guardian:(1) Pay any portion of the equipment's cost; and(2) Sign a "Statement of Rights and Responsibilities" form upon receiving the equipment.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.725, 43.20A.72…

(1) A client may return purchased telecommunications equipment to TAS within thirty days after receiving the equipment.(2) A client must receive a financial refund for the equipment if it was returned:(a) In clean and good condition;(b) In its original packaging; and(c) Within th…

ODHH may loan telecommunications equipment to an eligible person if:(1) TAS determines that a client may get equipment at no cost;(2) A "Conditions of Acceptance" form is signed by the client or the parent/legal guardian upon receiving the equipment.(3) The applicant has not viol…

(1) When loaning telecommunications equipment, ODHH must ensure that the client understands that the equipment remains the sole property of Washington state.(2) A client, or the client's parent/legal guardian is liable for any damage to or loss of telecommunications equipment iss…

A client or the client's parent/legal guardian must return state-loaned telecommunications equipment to TAS when the client:(1) Moves from a permanent Washington state residence to a location outside of Washington;(2) No longer needs the equipment;(3) Has been notified by TAS to …

(1) People must get written permission from TAS before moving their loaned telecommunications equipment from Washington state for over ninety days.(2) TAS may grant the client permission to move telecommunications equipment from the state if it is in the best interest of the clie…

(1) ODHH contracts with qualified people or agencies to train individuals on ways to use and care for telecommunications equipment provided by TAS.(2) ODHH must ensure reasonable accessibility to training for people with hearing loss or speech impairment.(3) ODHH staff determine …

(1) Qualified trainers must determine the training needs of individuals and the type of training that would be most effective.(2) A qualified trainer must:(a) Conduct individual and group training sessions for the applicants in the use and care of the equipment;(b) Provide traini…

(1) TAS may replace telecommunications equipment without a client renewing the application for equipment if:(a) The equipment is no longer working; and(b) Less than three years have passed since the client's initial application date for equipment.(2) Clients may renew their appli…

TAS may deny a request for replacement telecommunications equipment if previously issued equipment:(1) Was neglected, misused, or abused;(2) Was not reported as stolen or burned to either police or fire department within fifteen working days; or(3) Was lost, sold, traded, or pawn…

TAS may recondition telecommunications equipment and give it to any of the following agencies, nonprofit organizations or individuals:(1) State agencies;(2) Tribal community centers;(3) Nonprofit organizations that are registered under section 501 (c)(3) of the internal revenue c…

(1) When TAS denies an application for original or replacement equipment, an applicant or client may request that ODHH review this decision.(2) For a review of a TAS decision, the applicant or client must:(a) Submit a request in writing to ODHH, specifying the reason for the requ…

(1) A client may make a complaint about an unsatisfactory experience while using the relay services during a telephone call. Complaints may be about:(a) Communications assistant (CA) or video interpreter (VI) performance, such as typing speed, accuracy of relaying a message's int…

(1) ODHH must ensure that clients have access to customer services for the relay service provider or an opportunity to resolve quality of service issues with TRS regarding:(a) Any problems with the relay service; and/or(b) Dissatisfaction with explanations given for any relay ser…

(1) A client may file a formal complaint about the relay service:(a) To obtain a complaint form about the relay service, a client may contact ODHH (at 1- 800-422-7930) to request that a form be mailed.(b) The client may also contact the ODHH compliance officer or relay provider c…

The relay service provider and ODHH must ensure that customer service is available during regular work days (Monday through Friday excluding state holidays) to:(1) Address client complaints or inquiries; and(2) Respond to FCC staff members when requested.[Statutory Authority: RCW…

(1) A client who continues to be dissatisfied with responses from the formal complaint process at ODHH may file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).(2) The ODHH compliance officer must give the client the toll-free telephone number and address of the FCC …

(1) The FCC may file a complaint to ODHH or the relay service provider.(2) Within one hundred eighty days of receiving the complaint, ODHH must:(a) Report the results of the complaint investigation to the FCC; or(b) Keep the FCC informed about ongoing progress of actions toward r…

(1) ODHH must keep a record of all complaints about the quality of relay services.(2) The complaint document must show at least:(a) The name, phone number and address of the complainant;(b) The nature and date of the complaint;(c) Actions taken; and(d) The final disposition of th…

To be on the ODHH list of certified court interpreters, sign language and intermediary interpreters must register with and meet qualification standards established and administered by ODHH. There are two categories of interpreters, and different requirements for each category.[St…

Washington courts under RCW 2.42.130 may hire sign language interpreters identified by ODHH to be qualified for working in the courts. Those interpreters who meet these standards will be on a list maintained by ODHH.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 2.42 RCW, RCW 2.42.130, and 2.42.1…

There are two categories of court interpreters:(1) Certified court sign language interpreters; and(2) Certified court intermediary interpreters.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 2.42 RCW, RCW 2.42.130, and 2.42.170. WSR 15-01-075, § 388-818-520, filed 12/12/14, effective 1/12/15.]

Certified court sign language interpreters are presumed to be the most qualified to interpret in court hearings because of their training, skills, and experience. To qualify as a certified court sign language interpreter, you must complete the following requirements:(1) The appli…

Certified court intermediary interpreters are presumed to be the most qualified to interpret in court hearings because of their training, skills, and experience. To qualify as a certified court intermediary interpreter, you must complete the following requirements:(1) The applica…

(1)Certified court sign language and certified intermediary interpreters are required to maintain their certification in compliance with RID's certification maintenance program.(2) An updated criminal background check will be required annually by July 1.(3) A registration renewal…

No, if you have a criminal conviction in your history, you are not automatically disqualified, though a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony conviction may be grounds for disqualification. Crimes that are automatically disqualifying can be found on the DSHS website.[Statutor…

Washington courts training includes information specific to the Washington court system, including, but not limited to: understanding the Washington court system, roles of various court levels, Washington legal terminology and procedure, and courtroom protocol and procedure. Wash…

You can contact AOC for a schedule of training opportunities available.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 2.42 RCW, RCW 2.42.130, and 2.42.170. WSR 15-01-075, § 388-818-580, filed 12/12/14, effective 1/12/15.]

First, send a completed DSHS Form 17-155 sign language interpreter registration to ODHH, including all required attachments. To request the form, contact ODHH.If you fulfill all prerequisites, ODHH will contact you about the next dates available for Washington courts training. Af…