SB 477 - Under current law, the Statewide Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program provides assistance in making available reasonable access to basic telecommunications service for those eligible subscribers who are unable to use traditional telecommunications equipments, such as the deaf, hearing-impaired, and speech-impaired. This act expands the definition of an "eligible subscriber" to include the deaf-blind. The act also expands the program to include financial assistance to allow individuals whose household income is at or below 75% of the federal poverty level to obtain hearing aids if such benefit is not already provided for by any other grant, assistance program, or private or public insurance under which the individual is receiving benefits or services. The program shall also include financial assistance for the use of communication facilitators and support service providers for deaf-blind children and adults for the purpose of telecommunications services. The Missouri Assistive Technology Advisory Council may enter into contracts with support services providers to carry out this program. Provisions of this act are similar to HB 903 (2017). SARAH HASKINS