‘‘Vision Rehabilitation Services: Vision Rehabilitation
Professional
‘‘(ww)(1)(A) The term ‘vision rehabilitation services’
means rehabilitative services (as determined by the Sec-
retary in regulations) furnished—
‘‘(i) to an individual diagnosed with a vision im-
pairment (as defined in paragraph (6)),
‘‘(ii) pursuant to a plan of care established by
a qualified physician (as defined in subparagraph
(C)), or by a qualified occupational therapist, and is
periodically reviewed by the qualified physician,
‘‘(iii) in an appropriate setting (including the
home of the individual receiving such services if
specified in the plan of care), and
‘‘(iv) by any of the following individuals:
‘‘(I) A qualified physician.
‘‘(II) A qualified occupational therapist.
‘‘(III) A vision rehabilitation professional
(as defined in paragraph (2)) while under the
general supervision (as defined in subparagraph
(D)) of a qualified physician.
‘‘(B) In the case of vision rehabilitation services fur-
nished by a vision rehabilitation professional, the plan of
care may only be established and reviewed by a qualified
physician.
‘‘(C) The term ‘qualified physician’ means—
‘‘(i) a physician (as defined in subsection
(r)(1)) who is an ophthalmologist; or
‘‘(ii) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(4)
(relating to a doctor of optometry)).
‘‘(D) The term ‘general supervision’ means, with re-
spect to a vision rehabilitation professional, overall direc-
tion and control of that professional by the qualified physi-
cian who established the plan of care for the individual,
but the presence of the qualified physician is not required
during the furnishing of vision rehabilitation services by
that professional to the individual.
‘‘(2) The term ‘vision rehabilitation professional’
means any of the following individuals:
‘‘(A) An orientation and mobility specialist (as
defined in paragraph (3)).
‘‘(B) A rehabilitation teacher (as defined in
paragraph (4)).
‘‘(C) A low vision therapist (as defined in para-
graph (5)).
‘‘(3) The term ‘orientation and mobility specialist’
means an individual who—
‘‘(A) if a State requires licensure or certifi-
cation of orientation and mobility specialists, is li-
censed or certified by that State as an orientation
and mobility specialist;
‘‘(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree
from an accredited college or university in the
United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with
a concentration in orientation and mobility; and
‘‘(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of
clinical practicum under the supervision of an ori-
entation and mobility specialist and has furnished
not less than 9 months of supervised full-time ori-
entation and mobility services;
‘‘(C) has successfully completed the national ex-
amination in orientation and mobility administered
by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabili-
tation and Education Professionals; and
‘‘(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary
establishes.
‘‘(4) The term ‘rehabilitation teacher’ means an indi-
vidual who—
‘‘(A) if a State requires licensure or certifi-
cation of rehabilitation teachers, is licensed or cer-
tified by the State as a rehabilitation teacher;
‘‘(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree
from an accredited college or university in the
United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with
a concentration in rehabilitation teaching, or holds
such a degree in a health field; and
‘‘(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of
clinical practicum under the supervision of a reha-
bilitation teacher and has furnished not less than 9
months of supervised full-time rehabilitation teach-
ing services;
‘‘(C) has successfully completed the national ex-
amination in rehabilitation teaching administered by
the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilita-
tion and Education Professionals; and
‘‘(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary
establishes.
‘‘(5) The term ‘low vision therapist’ means an indi-
vidual who—
‘‘(A) if a State requires licensure or certifi-
cation of low vision therapists, is licensed or certified
by the State as a low vision therapist;
‘‘(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree
from an accredited college or university in the
United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with
a concentration in low vision therapy, or holds such
a degree in a health field; and
‘‘(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of
clinical practicum under the supervision of a physi-
cian, and has furnished not less than 9 months of
supervised full-time low vision therapy services;
‘‘(C) has successfully completed the national ex-
amination in low vision therapy administered by the
Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation
and Education Professionals; and
‘‘(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary
establishes.
‘‘(6) The term ‘vision impairment’ means vision loss
that constitutes a significant limitation of visual capability
resulting from disease, trauma, or a congenital or degen-
erative condition that cannot be corrected by conventional
means, including refractive correction, medication, or sur-
gery, and that is manifested by one or more of the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(A) Best corrected visual acuity of less than
20/60, or significant central field defect.
‘‘(B) Significant peripheral field defect includ-
ing homonymous or heteronymous bilateral visual
field defect or generalized contraction or constriction
of field.
‘‘(C) Reduced peak contrast sensitivity in con-
junction with a condition described in subparagraph
(A) or (B).