Warranty bill for disabled gets support

The Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council yesterday expressed support for the recently introduced bill seeking to grant consumers of new assistive technology devices more protection in terms of warranties, refunds or replacement of products.

Thomas J. Camacho, assistive technology project director and GDD Council executive director, said House Bill 11-321 introduced by Rep. Ana Teregeyo will tremendously help persons with disabilities who are usually totally dependent on assistive devices get their money’s worth.

“This Act if passed, will protect consumers of new assistive technology devices which were purchased or leased in order to increase, improve or maintain the functional capability of an individual with disabilities,” Camacho said in a letter to Teregeyo.

Under the proposed bill, manufacturers or assistive device dealers must furnish consumers of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, motorized scooters, hearing aide, telephone communication devices for the deaf, voice, synthesized computer modules, optical scanners, talking software, braille printers, among others, a one-year express warranty beginning on the date of the first delivery of products.

If the assistive devices have been determined to have factory defects, the proposed statute guarantees the consumer to have it returned for a comparable device or refund.

The proposed bill also provides that if the repair period lasts longer than 10 days due to nonconformity, manufacturers are required to provide rental reimbursement of up to $20 per day until the device is repaired.

Considering the importance of assistive devices on the day to day living of people with disabilities, the bill assures PWDs “to build their self-esteem and depend on themselves rather than governmental assistance.”

“Assistive devices are critical in the lives of persons with disabilities. They heavily rely on such at work, school, at home and during recreation. Considering our geographical location and our mailing/shipping system, this ‘lemon law’ demands a minimum one-year warranty on assistive devices and equipment beginning on the date of delivery, not the purchase date,” Camacho said.

“This is also an important specification because some consumers wait weeks or months from the date of order to the actual date of delivery,” he added.