Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Blind
clients shall be eligible to receive the training offered at the Orientation Center
for the Blind (OCB) only if they have been accepted by the Admissions Committee,
defined in subsection (d). Before deciding acceptance, the Admissions Committee
shall make a careful review of the case file, the contents of which is specified in
section 7262.5(a)(1), to
determine if the client:
(1) Meets the referral
criteria specified in subsection (b).
(2) Has a need for and is likely to benefit from
the comprehensive, intensive services provided by the OCB preparatory to engaging in
a vocational rehabilitation program. Services include:
(A) Assistance in adapting socially and
psychologically to blindness and developing daily living and prevocational
skills.
(B) Instruction, as appropriate,
in a residential setting in the areas of mobility, braille, industrial arts,
grooming, typing, shopping, abacus, sewing, physical conditioning and training in
the use of technological aids and devices such as
computers.
(b) A
client shall meet at least one of the following conditions before a Counselor makes
a referral to the Admissions Committee for review. The results of examinations
performed by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist shall be submitted to demonstrate
that the client:
(1) Is blind within the meaning
set forth in Section
19153,
Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2) Has a
serve visual impairment which significantly limits the individual's ability to
function visually.
(3) Has a prognosis
which indicates that vision is diminishing, and legal blindness is
anticipated.
(c) Referral
priority shall be given to a recently blinded client providing that the client's
general physical and psychological condition would permit full participation in the
learning process and the client shows a strong desire to undertake the orientation
program.
(1) "Recently blinded" means any
individual who has become blind within a period of three years prior to his/her
application for enrollment.
(d) The Admissions Committee consisting of the OCB
Administrator, the OCB Rehabilitation Counselor, the OCB Medical Consultant and one
faculty member shall:
(1) Consider each case using
the criteria specified in subsections (a), (b) and (c) within two weeks of referral
unless the Committee has questions which cannot be answered by examining the case
file and shall then either:
(A) Request additional
information from the referring Counselor, or
(B) Arrange for the client to visit the Center at
no expense to the client.
(2)
Place a client selected for admission on a waiting list who shall then be accepted
into the OCB in referral date order after such consideration as:
(A) Available space for applicants who will fully
participate in the program on a residential basis.
(B) Available dormitory space for males and
females.
(C) Immediate need for service
to retain current employment.
(D)
Medical needs of the client population currently residing at the
Center.
(3) Prepare a written
summary of the Committee's reasons if a client is denied admission and send such
summary to the referring Counselor within one week of that decision. The referring
Counselor shall provide the client with a copy of the Committee's summary upon the
client's request.
1. New Article 2
and section filed 2-10-93; operative 3-12-93 (Register 93, No. 7).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
19006
and
19016,
Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections
19153
and
19500-
19506,
Welfare and Institutions Code; 34
CFR Section 361.42.
