§ 28-10-1 — Definition of terms.

Terms used in this chapter mean: (1) "Director," the director of service to the blind and visually impaired; (2) "Division," the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired; (3) "Impediment to employment," a physical or mental condition which constitutes, contributes to or if not corrected will probably result in an obstruction to independent living or occupational performance; (4) "Individual with a visual disability," any person who has a visual impairment which results in a substantial impediment to employment or independent living and who can benefit in terms of an employment or independent living outcome; (5) "Maintenance," money payments not exceeding the estimated cost of subsistence during vocational rehabilitation; (6) "Occupational licenses," any license, permit, or other written authority required by any governmental unit to be obtained in order to engage in an occupation; (7) "Physical restoration," any medical, surgical, or therapeutic treatment necessary to correct or substantially reduce an impediment to employment of an individual with a visual disability within a reasonable length of time including medical, psychiatric, dental and surgical treatment, nursing services, hospital care, drugs, medical and surgical supplies, and prosthetic appliances, but excluding curative treatment for acute or transitory conditions; (8) "Prosthetic appliance," any artificial device necessary to support or take the place of a part of the body or to increase the acuity of a sense organ; (9) "Rehabilitation training," all necessary training provided to a person with a visual disability to compensate for an impediment to employment including manual, preconditioning, pre - vocational, vocational, and supplementary training and training provided for the purpose of achieving broader and more remunerative skills and capacities; (10) "Service," all of the services provided by the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, including independent living, rehabilitation, and minor medical services; (11) "Vocational rehabilitation" and "vocational rehabilitation services," any services found by the director to be necessary to enable an individual with a visual disability to engage in a remunerative occupation including assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs, counseling and placement, rehabilitation training, physical restoration, transportation, occupational licenses, customary occupational tools, equipment, maintenance, training books, and materials and adaptive rehabilitation technology devices and services.

Legislative History

SL 1947, ch 248, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 55.39B01; SL 1969, ch 215, §§ 1, 2; SL 1977, ch 226, § 15; SL 1994, ch 231, § 1.