Chapter VIII - D
Agency Services - LOW VISION SERVICES
- Policy Statement
Low Vision Services within the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired offers an interdisciplinary approach through a group of professionals with varied and specialized training who coordinate activities to serve the low vision individual.
The VR counselor provides appropriate low vision services as incorporated in the Low Vision Policies and Procedures Manual, which has been distributed to every professional worker. When serving VR clients with low vision needs, the VR counselor should refer to this manual for appropriate low vision practices.
- BITA, Feinbloom, and Other Distance Systems
Bioptic systems will only be purchased by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program when the system is required as a Low Vision aid to enable the client/student to perform an identified task in a training or employment situation.
The BITA system can only be purchased if other mounted telescopes have proven inefficient for the desired task. Optics as well as wearing time (weight of the system) will be considered as part of the selection criteria. The VR counselor, the case manager (if not one and the same), and the Low Vision program specialist shall consult about the appropriate system after a Low Vision exam has been performed and the examiner has made a recommendation. If the BITA is considered to be the most appropriate system, a request should be made to the regional manager by the VR counselor. Since the cost of the BITA system is over $2,000, the regional manager will contact the VR Program Specialist to verify that fund are available. The case manager's written justification must reflect consultation from the examiner, the case manager, and the Low Vision program specialist.
If a less expensive mounted system is deemed appropriate, but the client/student wishes the more expensive system, the agency will pay up to the amount of the recommended system. The client, parents, or student will be responsible for the balance. Payment for the balance must be arranged by the client/parent/student with the examiners.
The purchase of any mounted systems will, of course, be contingent upon available funds.