As used in sections 209.251 to 209.259, the following terms mean:

(1) “Adaptive telecommunications equipment”, equipment that translates, enhances or otherwise transforms the receiving or sending of telecommunications into a form accessible to individuals with disabilities. The term adaptive telecommunications equipment includes adaptive telephone equipment and other types of adaptive devices such as computer input and output adaptions necessary for telecommunications access;

(2) “Basic telecommunications access line”, a telecommunications line which provides service from the telephone company central office to the customer’s premises which enables the customer to originate and terminate long distance and local telecommunications;

(3) “Commission”, the public service commission;

(4) “Consumer support and outreach”, services that include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals with disabilities or their families or caregivers in the selection of the most appropriate adaptive telecommunications equipment to meet their needs, providing basic training and technical assistance in the installation and use of adaptive telecommunications equipment, and development and dissemination of information to increase awareness and use of adaptive telecommunications equipment;

(5) “Department”, the department of elementary and secondary education;

(6) “Eligible subscriber”, any individual who has been certified as deaf, hearing-impaired, speech-impaired or as having another disability that causes the inability to use telecommunications equipment and services by a licensed physician, audiologist, speech pathologist, hearing instrument specialist or a qualified agency;

(7) “Missouri assistive technology advisory council” or “council”, the body which directs the Missouri assistive technology program pursuant to sections 161.900 to 161.945;

(8) “Program administrator”, the entity or entities designated to design the statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program, develop and implement the program policies and procedures, assure delivery of consumer support and outreach and account for and pay all program expenses;

(9) “Surcharge”, an additional charge which is to be paid by local exchange telephone company subscribers pursuant to the rate recovery mechanism established pursuant to sections 209.255, 209.257 and 209.259 in order to implement the programs described in sections 209.251 to 209.259;

(10) “Telecommunications”, the transmission of any form of information including, but not limited to, voice, graphics, text, dynamic content, and data structures of all types whether they are in electronic, visual, auditory, optical or any other form;

(11) “Telecommunications device for the deaf” or “TDD”, a telecommunications device capable of allowing deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired individuals to transmit messages over basic telephone access lines by sending and receiving typed messages.