OAR 585-010-0020: Definition of Blindness for Vocational Rehabilitation

The following definitions shall apply to all Oregon Administrative Rules contained in OAR Chapter 585, Division 10, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) “Client” refers to a person who is blind or visually impaired who receives vocational rehabilitation services through Commission. (2) "Counselor" means the client's assigned vocational rehabilitation counselor who is a staff member of Commission. (3) "IPE" means Individualized Plan for Employment; (4) "Commission" means the Oregon Commission for the Blind. (5) “OCCB” means Orientation and Career Center for the Blind. (6) “Person who is blind” refers to an individual who has been diagnosed by a qualified physician to have a medical condition that is: (a) Congenital or organic in nature; and (b) Results in loss of sight to the extent that the person’s central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with best correction; or (c) The person’s central visual acuity exceeds 20/200 but is accompanied by limitation of the visual field to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees. (d) A person who has a functional disorder that does not have a known organic or structural cause is not considered to be a person who is blind for purposes of these rules. (7) “Person with a visual impairment” includes a person who is blind or has seriously impaired vision, or who has a condition that might lead to blindness. (8) “Vocational rehabilitation services” refers to any services necessary to enable a person who is blind to engage in educational and remunerative occupation or training opportunities.