(a) In order for a person to be eligible for the equipment distribution program, a person shall be certified as deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and blind, speech-impaired, or having another disability that impairs the individual's ability to effectively access the telecommunications network by a licensed physician, audiologist, or speech pathologist or by any other method recognized by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
(b)
(1) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services shall also consider financial need and, in so doing, shall take into account financial need standards or other means tests applicable to other programs administered by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services when promulgating procedures, rules, and criteria necessary to implement and administer the program.
(2) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services may develop a sliding scale of eligibility to provide equipment to individuals exceeding the baseline needs tests mentioned in this section.