Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2016/cite/248.07
Timestamp: 2019-10-16 11:10:15
Document Index: 663657600

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 5', 'art 9', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

It shall be the duty of the commissioner of employment and economic development, referred to in this section and sections 248.10 and 248.11 as the commissioner, to develop and administer programs serving the needs of blind and visually disabled persons and to cooperate with state and local boards and agencies both public and private. The commissioner shall create a division that is a distinct organizational unit to be known as State Services for the Blind, separate from the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and with its own activity budget, within the Department of Employment and Economic Development to provide and coordinate services to the blind.
The commissioner shall collect statistics concerning blind persons including medical ophthalmological data, causes of blindness, opportunities for education, rehabilitation, training for employment, and any other information necessary to carry out the commissioner's duties and responsibilities with respect to blind and visually disabled persons.
The commissioner shall give special attention to the cases of disabled youth who are eligible to attend the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, or the public school classes for disabled children, but are not in attendance there, or are not receiving adequate instruction elsewhere. The commissioner shall report all such cases to the school district of the individual's residence and to the commissioner of education.
The commissioner shall either provide or assist blind and visually disabled persons in obtaining vocational training and employment and shall aid such persons in obtaining services and benefits to which they may be entitled from public and private agencies. Any person who shall be entitled to training under this subdivision shall have the right to choose from available programs such training as in the opinion of the person would be suitable and practical in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner under subdivision 14a.
The commissioner shall further be empowered to aid persons who are blind or visually disabled: (1) by home instruction and training; (2) by assisting them in securing tools, appliances, and supplies; (3) by any other practicable means of improving their social, economic, or educational condition; (4) by providing to eligible persons, or purchasing for sale at cost plus handling charges, special materials and supplies needed by blind or visually disabled persons that are difficult to obtain elsewhere; and (5) by promoting literacy and access to print materials through production for blind or visually disabled persons or others of alternative reading formats such as Braille, audio tapes, radio signals, newspaper reading services, and other services originating from the division's Communication Center. Equipment may be leased or sold under written rehabilitation plans at cost plus handling charges to persons who wish to lease or purchase them. Receipts under this subdivision, as well as gifts to aid the blind, are subject to section 116J.035, subdivision 6.
The commissioner shall adopt rules to set standards for the provision of rehabilitative services to blind and visually disabled persons. The rules shall, at a minimum, contain program definitions and set standards for basic eligibility, including financial need eligibility and definitions of legal blindness.
(a) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall enter into contracts or agreements to provide comprehensive adjustment-to-blindness training services to blind and visually disabled persons. Services available must include, but not be limited to, instruction in Braille reading and writing, the use of the long white cane for independent travel, home management and self management, typing and computer technology, career exploration, and seminars on positive adjustment to blindness. In entering into contracts or agreements to provide adjustment-to-blindness services, the commissioner shall, when in the best interests of the client, utilize services available from qualified nonprofit agencies or organizations who:
(4616) 1913 c 488 s 1,2; 1917 c 346 s 3,4; 1923 c 336 s 1; 1941 c 332 s 1; 1955 c 303 s 1-6; 1957 c 693 s 1,2; 1961 c 67 s 1; 1965 c 321 s 1; 1965 c 692 s 1; 1969 c 399 s 1; 1969 c 903 s 1; 1969 c 1022 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 3 s 1; 1976 c 54 s 1; 1976 c 163 s 51; 1976 c 239 s 78; 1976 c 271 s 77; 1982 c 395 s 1; 1984 c 516 s 1; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 12; 1986 c 337 s 3-12; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 27; 1987 c 365 s 20; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1; 1988 c 703 art 1 s 19-21; 1991 c 328 s 1; 1992 c 470 s 2,3; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1995 c 82 s 2-9; 1996 c 398 s 58; 1998 c 265 s 1; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2004 c 206 s 34,52; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 35,36; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109; 2010 c 271 s 1