DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES  
GENERAL RULES  
(By authority conferred on the department of social services by section 6 of Act No.  
280 of the Public Acts of 1939, as amended, being S400.6 of the Michigan Compiled  
Laws)  
PART 4. DIVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE BLIND  
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION  
R 400.251 Application.  
Rule 251. An application shall be considered a right of any individual who  
considers himself eligible for vocational rehabilitation through the division of  
services for the blind.  
History: 1954 AC; 1979 AC.  
R 400.252 Special eligibility requirements.  
Rule 252. (1) Any individual in Michigan shall be considered eligible for  
vocational rehabilitation through the division of services for the blind if he is  
otherwise eligible.  
(2) Any individual who is otherwise eligible and  
is  
found  
through an  
examination by an ophthalmologist or a physician approved by the state supervising  
ophthalmologist to have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with proper  
corrections or a limitation of the visual field of vision such that the widest diameter of  
the visual field subtends an angle distance no greater than 20 degrees, shall be  
considered eligible for service on the basis of lack or defectiveness of vision.  
(3) Vocational rehabilitation services shall be available only to those individuals  
whose vocational capacity may be increased through such services and when a  
study of the age, physical and mental capacity, aptitudes, and employment  
history indicate the probability that a placement may be made after such services  
have been given; provided, however, that the division of services for the blind  
may extend rehabilitation services to blind persons whenever it appears feasible  
without regard to employability.  
(4) No person shall be denied rehabilitation or other services on the basis of race,  
creed, or color. The same facilities will be available to any eligible person.  
(5) Vocational rehabilitation services other than maintenance shall be available to  
any civil employee of the United States disabled while in the performance of his duties  
and to any war disabled civilian as defined in U.S. Public Law 113-78th Congress  
(first session) who may be certified to the division of services for the blind by the  
administrator of the federal security agency without regard  
to  
economic  
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circumstances of the individual. Maintenance may be paid only after a study of the  
economic circumstances of the individual indicates that he is unable to pay for this  
service.  
History: 1954 AC; 1979 AC.  
R 400.253 Need and amount of services.  
Rule 253. (1) Rehabilitation services for the blind shall be available to an  
individual otherwise eligible who is financially unable to pay for the services. Cost  
of services other  
than  
diagnostic evaluations, counseling, training, training  
materials, reader service, interpretive service for the deaf, placement, and follow-up  
shall be available on the basis of a study of the economic circumstances of the  
individual and may be made available in whole or in part when the study indicates  
that an individual is unable to pay for such services. (2) Cost of diagnostic  
evaluations,  
counseling,  
training, training materials, reader service, interpretive  
service for the deaf, placement, and follow-up shall be considered allowable and may  
be given without regard to economic circumstances.  
History: 1954 AC; 1979 AC.  
R 400.254 Confidential nature of records.  
Rule 254. (1) The following information concerning applicants and recipients  
of rehabilitation services shall be considered as confidential in nature:  
(a) Names and addresses of applicants and recipients, as well as lists of the names  
and addresses of applicants and recipients.  
(b) Data contained in applications, reports of investigations, reports of medical  
examinations, cancelled assistance warrants, correspondence, and records concerning  
the condition or circumstances of any person from or about whom information is  
obtained, and including all such information regardless of whether it is recorded.  
(c) Records of agency evaluations of such information.  
(2) Information of a confidential nature may be released to agencies and persons if  
such information is necessary to secure or provide services for clients. This will be  
done only after such agencies or persons have been informed that:  
(a) The confidential nature of the information furnished must be preserved.  
(b) The information furnished must be used only for the purpose for which it is  
made available, and after assurance has been given that proper steps will be taken to  
safeguard the confidential nature of the information furnished.  
History: 1954 AC.  
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