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ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1078
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Passed Legislature - 1996 Regular Session
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995
Regular Session
By
Read first time 03/06/95.
Changing provisions relating to
instruction in Braille.
AN ACT Relating to the
instruction in Braille reading and writing to blind students; adding new
sections to chapter 28A.155 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.405 RCW;
and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. It is the goal of the
legislature to encourage persons who are blind or visually impaired to
participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in
remunerative employment. The legislature finds that literacy is essential to the
achievement of this goal. Furthermore, the legislature finds that literacy for
most persons who are blind or visually impaired means the ability to read and
write Braille with proficiency. The legislature sets as a further goal that
students who are legally blind or visually impaired shall be given the
opportunity to learn Braille in order to communicate effectively and
efficiently.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. A new section is added
to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
Unless the context
clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply in section 3
of this act.
(1) "Student"
means a student who:
(a) Has a visual acuity
of 20/200 or less in the better eye with conventional correction or having a
limited field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field
subtends an angular distance not greater than twenty degrees;
(b) Is unable to read
printed material at a competitive rate with facility due to functional visual
impairment or lack of visual acuity; or
(c) Has a physical
condition with a medical prognosis of a significant visual deterioration to the
extent that (a) or (b) of this subsection could apply.
(2) "Braille"
means the system of reading and writing through touch commonly known as standard
English Braille.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. A new section is added
to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Each student shall
be assessed individually to determine the appropriate learning media for the
student including but not limited to Braille.
(2) No student may be
denied the opportunity for instruction in Braille reading and writing solely
because the student has some remaining vision.
(3) This section does
not require the exclusive use of Braille if there are other special education
services to meet the student's educational needs. The provision of special
education or other services does not preclude Braille use or instruction.
(4) If a student's
individualized learning media assessment indicates that Braille is an
appropriate learning medium, instruction in Braille shall be provided as a part
of such student's educational curriculum and if such student has an
individualized education program, such instruction shall be provided as part of
that program.
(5) If Braille will not
be provided to a student, the reason for not incorporating it in the student's
individualized education program shall be documented in such plan. If no
individualized education program exists, such documentation, signed by the parent
or guardian, shall be placed in the student's file.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
4. A new section is added
to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
Teachers
of visually impaired students shall be qualified according to rules adopted by
the state board of education.
