S-4311.1 _______________________________________________
SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5687
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Long, Rasmussen, Johnson, Bauer, Kohl, Finkbeiner, Fairley, C. Anderson, Hochstatter, Gaspard, Pelz, Prince and Winsley)
Read first time 1/18/96.
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.
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