Vision loss including blindness is an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a student's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.

1. (1) Visual acuity of no better than 20/70 in the better eye after correction;
2. (2) Restricted visual field;

3. (3) Limited ability to move about safely in the environment because of visual disability.

   Blindness is a deficiency in visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses or a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter subtends an angular distance of no greater than twenty degrees or has a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration.

A student with a vision loss has a deficiency in visual acuity that, even with the use of lenses or corrective devices, requires special education or special education and related services.

Partial sight is one or more deficiencies in visual acuity, as follows:

Source: 23 SDR 31, effective September 8, 1996; 33 SDR 236, effective July 5, 2007.

General Authority: SDCL 13-37-1.1.

Law Implemented: SDCL 13-37-1.1.