Who Is Eligible for Federal Quota?
In order for students to be eligible for registration in The Federal Quota Program, they MUST meet the requirements as outlined in An Act to Promote the Education of the Blind.
All eligible students must:
Meet the definition of blindness (MDB)—a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less (using a Snellen chart or an acuity determined in Snellen equivalents) in the better eye with the best correction or a peripheral field of vision no greater than 20 degrees,
-or-
Function at the definition of blindness (FDB)—when visual function meets the definition of blindness as determined by an eye care specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) or other medical doctor such as a neurologist. Students in this category manifest unique visual characteristics often found in conditions referred to as neurological, cortical, or cerebral visual impairment (e.g. brain injury or dysfunction).
NOTE: Educational vision assessments are not acceptable documentation and medical diagnosis are not accepted to verify eligibility.
Additionally, eligible students must:
- Be enrolled in a formally organized public or private, nonprofit educational program of less than college level.
- School-aged students including infants, toddlers and preschool students must be enrolled with the registering school or agency on the first Monday in January. Adult students must be registered for at least three months of instruction during the preceding calendar year (an accumulation of 12 weeks*).
The educational programs providing services to these students can include public, private, and parochial schools.
There is NO chronological age limit for eligibility. Federal law limits registration to persons working at less than college level but places no restriction on the ages of eligible students.
And:
Adult Students—Adults to be registered must have received a minimum of twenty hours of documented instruction per week for twelve weeks in an educational or rehabilitative program in the previous calendar year. The twelve weeks do not need to be consecutive. Social and leisure programs do not qualify as instruction. Student practice to develop skills can be included in instructional hours. For this purpose, an adult is a student over school age as determined by respective state law. Students who have a guardian must have a guardian permission on file.
Infant Students—Eligible infants (birth to three) can be registered if they are enrolled in a formally organized, regularly scheduled educational or training program and have a written education plan. An individualized family service plan (IFSP) or any other written plan may be used. They can be registered with a note from their pediatrician, or any eye care specialist, stating they meet the definition of blindness since an actual acuity is impossible to obtain at this age. Parent permissions are required for all students in the birth to three age group.
School-Aged Students—Eligible children (preschool through high school) can be registered if they are enrolled in a formally organized, regularly scheduled educational or training program and have a written education plan. An IFSP, an individualized education program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or any other written education plan may be used. Parent permissions are required for all students in preschool through their eighteenth birthday.
Homebound Students—Eligible homebound students can be registered if they are enrolled in a formally organized, regularly scheduled educational or training program, have a written education plan, and parent permission.
Home Schooled Students—In order for students who are blind and visually impaired and are home schooled to prove eligible for registration, the home school program should meet the guidelines and/or procedures in effect within each individual state. Students must have a written education plan and parent permission.