Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, state and local governments and businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public must communicate equally and effectively with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. Because there are not as many sign language interpreters, captioners, and resources available in rural communities, this can be a challenge.
The purpose of Rural Communication Access Services or RCAS (formerly known as Rural Auxiliary Services) is to improve access to effective communication for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities and individuals in rural areas of Colorado. The program provides referrals and sign language interpreting and captioning services to rural areas of the state at no charge to those communities. The program also provides training opportunities, certification testing support and scholarships to providers that agree to accept assignments in rural areas of the state.
It all started as a pilot program in 2018, to provide sign language interpreters to rural communities. In 2021, Senate Bill 21-216 was passed and the program received permanent funding. Under this bill, the commission is directed to arrange for communication access services in rural areas, as well as write rules with official guidelines for the program and services.
Stakeholder Engagement
In November of 2023, the commission held two virtual town-hall meetings to gather input and information from stakeholders regarding the proposed rule. The commission accepted comments through December 11, 2023.
The official rulemaking process was held in early 2024. The State Board of Human Services had its second reading of the proposed rule for the Rural Communication Access Services program on Friday, March 8. The rule was adopted by a unanimous vote and will take effect on April 30, 2024.
Rulemaking Documents
You can review the comments and original proposed rule and edits in the documents linked below.
All files are hosted in Google Drive. Please select “Download” or “Make a Copy” if you wish to review offline.
- Draft Proposed Rule
Redline Version - Proposed Draft - Rural Services Rule
First Proposed Draft - Rural Services Rule
- Draft Proposed Policy and Guidelines
Read Proposed Draft - RCAS Policy and Guidelines
While the rule has been approved and will go into effect April 30, 2024, the Policy and Guidelines are still being reviewed.
- Meeting Notes and Materials
State Board of Health Rulemaking Meetings
Second Reading/Rulemaking Hearing
Friday, March 8, 2024
9-11 a.m.
(final time to be determined)Rulemaking Meeting Link
Please Note: This rulemaking link is an open ended link and is used regularly for rulemaking meetings. Use this link at the time of the scheduled meeting only.First Reading/Rulemaking Meeting
Friday, February 9, 2024
9-11 a.m.
(final time to be determined)Rulemaking Meeting Link
Please Note: This rulemaking link is an open ended link and is used regularly for rulemaking meetings. Use this link at the time of the scheduled meeting only.Virtual Town Hall Learning Sessions
- Friday, November 3 (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
- Wednesday, November 8 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
- Rulemaking Subcommittee
The rulemaking subcommittee members have been meeting since Fall of 2022 to develop the proposed rule.
- Susan Brown (Durango, educator)
- Stephanie Cryer (Silverthorne, sign language interpreter)
- Staci Nichols (Craig, consumer)
- Kyle Rosenberg (Steamboat Springs, consumer)
- Sheila Worth (Grand Junction, consumer)
Program Contact
Rural Auxiliary Services Program
Trish Leakey, Auxiliary Services Program Manager