The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Center for independent living.” A consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private, nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by people with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services, as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.).

“Commission.” The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

“Department.” The Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth.

“Persons who are blind.” Any person who is legally blind or any person who is eligible to receive services from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

“Persons with a disability” or “people with disabilities.” A person certified by a licensed physician, audiologist, speech pathologist or a qualified State agency:

“Print Media Access System.” Any nationwide or Statewide telephone access service that provides access to national and local newspapers to persons who are blind.

“Print Media Access System Program.” The Print Media Access System Program established under section 3.1.¹

“Telecommunication device.” Equipment necessary for a person with a disability to engage in communication by wire or radio with another person with a disability or with a hearing individual.

“Telecommunication Device Distribution Program.” The Telecommunication Device Distribution Program established under section 3.²

“Telecommunication relay service.” Telephone transmission services that provide the ability for a person with a disability to engage in communication by wire or radio with a hearing individual in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a person who does not have a disability to communicate using voice communication services by wire or radio. The term includes services that enable two-way communication between an individual who uses a telecommunication device or other nonvoice terminal device and an individual who does not use such a device.