Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 003 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE › Division 24 - Division of Services for the Blind › Rule 003.24.21-001 - Division of Services for the Blind Older Individuals Who Are Blind Policy Manual

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
1.0
INTRODUCTION
The goal of the Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program (OIB)
				is to enable individuals with blindness or significant visual impairments to
				live more independently in their homes and communities with a maximum degree of
				self direction.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations
				34CFR
				367.5, "Older individual who is blind means
				an individual age 55 or older whose significant visual impairment makes
				competitive employment extremely difficult to attain but for whom independent
				living goals are feasible".
In keeping with this directive, the primary goal of the OIB
				Program is to provide instruction and guidance to help individuals with
				blindness or visual impairments to acquire the skills and knowledge they need
				to manage their daily lives, develop self-confidence, and achieve
				self-sufficiency at the highest attainable level.
1.1
Legal Basis and Funding
The OIB Program is authorized under the Independent Living
				Services for Older Blind Individuals Program authorized under Section 72 of the
				Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Regulations governing the Independent
				Living Services for Older Blind Program are contained in the
Federal
				Register
at 34 CFR Part 367.
1.2
Protection of Legal Rights
DSB consumers and potential consumers are afforded certain
				rights with respect to the following principles:
* Timeliness of services, decisions, and notifications
* Nondiscriminatory availability of services
* Confidentiality of consumer files
* Informed choice
* Allowances for exemptions to policy limitations under
				reasonable extenuating circumstances
* An opportunity to appeal decisions regarding to their planned
				services or their eligibility for such services
Additionally, it is intended that consumers of this agency
				receive the best and most appropriate services available within agency
				guidelines and funding capabilities.
1.3
Notification of Rights
Consumers will be notified of their rights including the
				availability of the Client Assistance Program (CAP). The consumer or
				representative must be notified of their rights in writing at each of the
				following times:
* During their application or intake
* When a determination of ineligibility for services is
				made
* When an Individualized Plan for Elders (IPE) is developed or
				amended
* When DSB decides to initiate a reduction, suspension, or
				termination of any services being provided under an IPE, including case
				closure
1.4
Nondiscrimination
Referrals or applicants will not be excluded from applying for
				services or be found ineligible for services on the basis of: age, sex, race,
				color, national origin, type of expected employment outcome, source of
				referral, particular service needs or anticipated cost of services, income
				level of the applicant or their family, applicant's employment history or
				current employment status, or applicant's educational status or current
				educational credentials.
1.5
Confidentiality
All DSB staff are responsible for ensuring that personal
				information regarding applicants and consumers of OIB Program services
				furnished to this agency are held confidential.
All information as to personal facts given or made available to
				employees or representatives of the Division during the administration of the
				OIB program will be held confidential, including lists of names and addresses;
				records of agency evaluation; reports of medical examination and treatment;
				financial information; and photographs.
1.5.1
Release of
			 Information
Release of information to any individual, agency, or
				organization shall be conditioned upon satisfactory assurance by such
				individual, agency, or organization that the information will be used only for
				the purpose for which it is provided, and it will not be released to any other
				individual, agency, or organization. Information will not be disclosed, other
				than in the administration of the OIB program, unless the informed consent of
				the consumer has been obtained in writing.
Upon written request, information shall be released to the
				consumer, or, as appropriate, the caregiver/guardian or other
				representative.
For purposes regarding any proceeding or action for benefit or
				damages, only information that is relevant to the needs of the consumer may be
				released.
If DSB has obtained personal information from another agency or
				organization, it may be released only by the other agency or organization from
				which it originated.