R 340.1708

MARSE R 340.1708 Visual impairment including blindness definition; determination.

Rule 8.

1. "Visual impairment including blindness" means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes partial sight, blindness, and a progressively deteriorating eye condition.
2. A determination of eligibility must be based on a full and individual evaluation by a multidisciplinary evaluation team, which must include all of the following:
   1. An eye report by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or a medical evaluation by a physician as that term is defined in article 15 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838.
   2. A functional vision assessment by a teacher of students with visual impairment.
   3. A learning media assessment by a teacher of students with visual impairment.
3. A certified orientation and mobility specialist shall conduct an orientation and mobility evaluation that complies with subrule (4) of this rule for a student who satisfies at least 1 of the following:
   1. A visual acuity of 20/200 or less after routine refractive correction.
   2. A peripheral field of vision restricted to 20 degrees or less.
   3. A visual acuity of 20/200 or more and a recommendation by a teacher of students with visual impairment, an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist after an evaluation.
4. The certified orientation and mobility specialist shall conduct the evaluation in familiar and unfamiliar settings and under a variety of lighting and terrain conditions and shall take into consideration the individual needs of the student.