Aids to Impairment, Orthotics, and Prosthetics

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Control Number: 401.06.03.059 Version: 5.0 Title: Aids to Impairment, Orthotics, and Prosthetics Page Number: 4 of 8 Idaho Department of Correction An exception to the contact lens guidance will be made for residents with a retained jurisdiction sentence and residents with eye conditions that require contact lenses to treat the eye condition. These residents are allowed to keep their contact lenses. Walking Sticks for Visually Impaired Medically-required walking sticks may be allowed if approved by the facility management team and facility field memorandum. Hearing Aids Residents who enter an IDOC facility with hearing aids are allowed to keep them and will receive new hearing aids when it is determined by a medical p rovider that replacement is necessary. Residents with newly diagnosed hearing loss will receive an audiology test/evaluation and receive hearing aids if medically necessary. The contract medical provider is responsible for any costs associated with new hearing aids, repair, or replacement. Access to Translation Service and Video Relay Services for Hearing Impaired Residents with hearing impairment who know and use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate may request permission to use the video relay service (VRS) to contact friends and family. Residents with family members who are hearing impaired may also be approved to utilize the equipment. Requests for video relay services require at least 24 hours’ notice. The designated ADA compliance staff member, or designee, will maintain/update the list of VRS-approved residents and forward the list to unit staff and facility program managers (to be disseminated to case managers). A list of VRS -approved residents should be posted in the facility control center. To request approval to use the VRS system a resident will: • Submit a concern form to the designated ADA compliance staff member requesting use of the VRS equipment at least 24 hours before needed. • Include an explanation of why and with specific information (example: a family member is deaf [indicate name/contact info], etc.) The designated ADA compliance staff member will validate the need and approve/deny the request. Once approval/denial is determined, the designated ADA compliance staff member will: • Notify the hearing-impaired resident by replying to the concern form • Make an entry in the Offender Management System (OMS) as a “special concern” indicating authorization to use the VRS equipment. • Notify unit staff of the approval and the need to schedul e use of the VRS equipment with the resident. Access to Effective Communications IDOC will take appropriate steps to ensure disabled residents’ communication with staff, other residents, and where applicable, the public, are as reasonably effective as non- disabled residents’ communication with such persons. The department will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to provide residents with a