Division Policy 10.09

SUBJECT

Identification Cards

EFFECTIVE DATE

February 8, 1996

REVIEW DATE

January 18, 2013

EXPIRATION DATE

This policy will be reviewed and updated as needed.

PURPOSE

To provide guidelines for issuing identification cards.

AUTHORITY

FS 413.091; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, As Amended

POLICY

Identification cards may be issued to individuals who are visually impaired or meet the definition of legal blindness. Visual Impairment is defined as low vision causing a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person’s ability to function at certain or all tasks. (The World Health Organization, WHO, defines low vision as best corrected acuity of 20/70) Legal blindness is defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses or a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter or visual field subtends an angular distance of no greater than 20 degrees.

Certification of visual impairment or legal blindness may be made by an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, a nurse, social worker, counselor or other professional worker who has access to an adequate eye report.   After proof of visual impairment or legal blindness is established, the Application for Identification Card should be completed and the card issued. The identification card may be signed by the DBS counselor, Supervisor or District Administrator.

Original signed by Joyce Hildreth, Director, February 3, 2012