6A-18.050. Transportation (Transferred to 38K-1.050)

(1) All vocational rehabilitation services provided by the Division are contingent on the availability of funds and the following eligibility criteria:

(a) A vision loss of such severity that the individual is blind or threatened with blindness which shall be documented by an eye examination report that includes the diagnosis, etiology, visual acuity including refraction, a description of visual field, prognosis, recommendation, and such other information as may be pertinent to the individual case;

(b) Limitations on the person’s ability to function, as a result of the vision loss, which seriously impede obtaining, retaining, or preparing for employment consistent with the person’s abilities, skills, general health status, education, and vocational background;

(c) A reasonable expectation that vocational rehabilitation services will enable the individual to engage in suitable employment.

(2) If the vision loss is as defined in paragraph 6A-18.050(1)(a), F.A.C., the Division shall acquire such additional information as may be needed to determine the applicant’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and to plan services. Such information shall be adequate to:

(a) Establish that the vision loss limits the person’s activities;

(b) Evaluate the current health status of the person to determine capabilities and limitations;

(c) Support the choice of a vocational goal;

(d) Determine the vocational rehabilitation services needed to attain the goal;

(e) Determine how and to what extent disabling conditions may be removed, corrected, or minimized by physical restoration services.

(3) The agency shall procure examinations by specialists when these are needed to determine eligibility, to assess rehabilitation potential, to plan services, or select a vocational objective.

(4) In any case where eye pathological information is needed, a specialty examination by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye shall be obtained.

(5) Psychiatric evaluations, psychological evaluations and other specialty examinations shall be obtained as circumstances indicate necessary to determine the nature and extent of functional limitations and the likelihood that vocational rehabilitation services will assist the individual towards employment.

(6) The counselor shall determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services based on the information and inform the applicant.

(7) When it cannot be determined that vocational rehabilitation services are likely to help the individual to reach an employment objective, the counselor shall complete a statement of eligibility for an extended evaluation of employability. The applicant shall be informed and a plan developed for training, treatment, or other services needed to make this determination within a time period which may not exceed eighteen (18) months.

(8) When a person is found to be ineligible by the counselor, a statement of ineligibility shall specify eligibility requirements which are not met.

Rulemaking Authority 20.05(1), 20.15(7), 120.53(1), 229.053(1), 413.011(1)(l) FS. Law Implemented 120.53(1), 413.011(1), 413.021, 413.031 FS. History–New 2-13-84, Formerly 6A-18.35, 6A-18.035, 38K-1.035.