Access to Telecommunications Equipment and Services by Persons With Disabilities (Hearing Aid Compatibility)

This action requires that all wireline telephones in the workplace, confined settings (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes) and hotels and motels eventually be hearing aid compatible and have volume control. As of April 1, 1997, hearing aid compatible telephones manufactured or imported for use in the United States must have the letters ``HAC'' permanently affixed to them, and, as of November 1, 1998, have volume control. The intent of these requirements is to increase access to telephone service by persons with impaired hearing.