12 CCR 2516-1-27.300 - RURAL COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES PROGRAM
The Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind administers the Rural Communication Access Services (RCAS) program to provide access to effective communication for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals in rural areas of the state. RCAS services include providing information, referrals, and qualified communication access services (e.g., sign language interpreters, realtime captioners, cued language transliterators). RCAS also provides communication access provider training and scholarships for people who are willing to accept assignments in rural areas.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments, and businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public must communicate effectively with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. However, there are relatively few sign language interpreters and realtime captioners available in rural communities.
Although entities in rural areas are ultimately responsible for complying with the ADA, the RCAS program is a tool to assist such entities by providing information on providers who are willing to take assignments in rural areas. The program also has limited funding to arrange and pay for communication access services for eligible rural entities. The goal of the program is to remove communication barriers in rural communities to the benefit of everyone. These rules implement the provisions of section 26-21-106(9), C.R.S.
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