Section 730.10  Definitions

For the purpose of this Part, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

Blind – describes a person whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or whose visual acuity, if better than 20/200, is accompanied by a limit to the field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees.

Competitive Integrated Employment – work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis (including self-employment) and for which the customer is compensated with customary wage and level of benefits, but not less than the applicable minimum wage and:

is not paid less than customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities in similar occupations;

in the case of an individual who is self-employed, yields an income that is comparable to the income received by other individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar tasks;

is eligible for the same level of benefits provided to other employees;

is in a location in the community where the individual with a disability interacts with individuals who are not individuals with disabilities; and

presents, as appropriate, opportunities for advancement that are similar to those for other employees who are not individuals with disabilities with similar positions.

Customer – a person who has applied for, been referred for, is receiving, or has received any DHS-DRS services, including a student at a DHS-DRS school.

DeafBlind – describes a person who has a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field defect such that the peripheral diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees, or a progressive visual loss having a prognosis leading to one or both these conditions and:

has a chronic hearing impairment so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification, or a progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to this condition; and

for whom the combination of these chronic impairments cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, and obtaining a vocation.

Department or DHS – the Illinois Department of Human Services.

DHS-DRS – the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services.

DHS-DRS VR or VR – the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

ICRE-Wood – the facility operated by DHS which provides comprehensive services to enhance independent daily living skills, job retention skills, and pre-vocational skills to individuals who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind.

Visually Impaired – describes a person whose central visual acuity is:

20/60 or less in the better eye with best correction; or 

better than 20/60 in the better eye with best correction, but has a limitation in the visual fields of 20 degrees or less.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)