BILL REQ. #:  H-2123.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/03/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to providing access to a telephonic reading service for blind or visually handicapped persons in the state of Washington; amending RCW 74.18.020; adding a new section to chapter 74.18 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds and declares the following:
     (1) Thousands of citizens in the state have disabilities, including blindness or visual impairment, that prevent them from using conventional print material.
     (2) Governmental and nonprofit organizations provide access to reading material by specialized means, including books and magazines prepared in braille, audio, and large-type formats.
     (3) Access to time-sensitive or local or regional publications, or both, is not feasible to produce through these traditional means and formats.
     (4) Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time-sensitive materials limits educational opportunities, literacy, and full participation in society by people with print disabilities.
     (5) Creation and storage of information by computer results in electronic files used for publishing and distribution.
     (6) The use of high-speed computer and telecommunications technology combined with customized software provides a practical and cost-effective means to convert electronic text-based information, including daily newspapers, into synthetic speech suitable for statewide distribution by telephone.
     (7) Telephonic distribution of time-sensitive information, including daily newspapers, will enhance the state's current efforts to meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens for access to information which is otherwise available in print, thereby reducing isolation and supporting full integration and equal access for such individuals.

Sec. 2   RCW 74.18.020 and 1983 c 194 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Department" means an agency of state government called the department of services for the blind.
     (2) "Director" means the director of the ((state agency)) department of services for the blind. The director is appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.
     (3) "Advisory council" means the body of members appointed by the governor to advise the state agency.
     (4) "Blind" means a person who has no vision or whose vision with corrective lenses is so defective as to prevent the performance of ordinary activities for which eyesight is essential, or who has an eye condition of a progressive nature which may lead to blindness.
     (5) "Telephonic reading service" means audio information provided by telephone, including the acquisition and distribution of daily newspapers and other information of local, state, or national interest.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 74.18 RCW to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The director shall provide access to a telephonic reading service for blind and disabled persons.
     (b) The director shall establish criteria for eligibility for blind and disabled persons who may receive the telephonic reading services. The criteria may be based upon the eligibility criteria for persons who receive services established by the national library service for the blind and physically handicapped of the library of congress.
     (2) The director may enter into contracts or other agreements that he or she determines to be appropriate to provide telephonic reading services pursuant to this section.
     (3) The director may expand the type and scope of materials available on the telephonic reading service in order to meet the local, regional, or foreign language needs of blind or visually impaired residents of this state. The director may also expand the scope of services and availability of telephonic reading services by current methods and technologies that may be developed. The director may inform current and potential patrons of the availability of telephonic reading services through appropriate means, including, but not limited to, direct mailings, direct telephonic contact, and public service announcements.
     (4) The director may expend moneys from the business enterprises revolving account accrued from vending machine sales in state and local government buildings, as well as donations and grants, for the purpose of supporting the cost of activities described in this section.