There are three (3) criteria for eligibility in the OIB program:

1. (1)

   1. (A) The OIB program is specially designed to serve older blind and visually impaired Arkansans.
   2. (B) Therefore, a lower age limit of fifty-five (55) years of age has been established.
   3. (C) No upper age limit may be established that will, in and of itself, result in finding ineligible any individual who is otherwise eligible;
2. (2) The individual’s vision loss must constitute a substantial barrier to independent living, and there must be reasonable expectation that services provided would enable the program participant to function more independently; and

3. (3) The individual must be classified as having one (1) of the following visual conditions:

   1. (A) Total blindness. Any permanent visual condition resulting in total loss of vision;

   2. (B) Legal blindness. Any visual condition resulting in either:

      1. (i) A visual acuity for distance vision in the best eye with the best correction of 20/200 or less; or
      2. (ii) The widest diameter of visual field subtending an angle of less than twenty degrees (20°); or

   3. (C) Visual impairment. Having either of the following:

      1. (i)

         1. (a) (a) A visual acuity of 20/50 in the best eye after correction that is progressive.
         2. (b) (b) Progressive means a visual condition that is more likely than not to result in legal blindness; or
      2. (ii) Imminent danger that the individual may become totally or legally blind within six (6) months as documented by a physician who is skilled in diseases of the eye.

Codification Notes: “OIB” means older individuals who are blind.