KRS 158.282: Instruction of all blind students in the use of braille -- Assessment for blind

students in program -- Exceptions.

(1) The purpose of KRS 156.476, 158.281, 161.051, and this section shall be to assure,

to the maximum extent possible, that all blind st udents shall be instructed in the use

of braille.

(2) The written individualized education program for each exceptional student, as

promulgated by administrative regulation, shall also include the following

assessment for blind students:

(a) A braille skil ls inventory, including an assessment of the student's strengths

and weaknesses;

(b) A statement as to whether the use of braille shall be that student's primary

mode of communication;

(c) The date on which braille instruction shall begin;

(d) The length of the period of instruction, and the frequency and duration of each

instructional session; and

(e) The level of competency in braille reading and writing to be achieved, and the

assessment measures to be used in determining if that level has been achieved.

(3) Braille instruction and use shall not be required by this section if, during the course

of developing the blind student's individualized educational program, the members

of the Administrative Admission and Release Committee as established for this

purpose, pursuant to administrative regulations, concur that the student shall not be

required to learn to read and write braille. In reaching its decision, the committee

shall consider the student's reading readiness, functional reading skills, reading

comprehension rate and stamina, functional writing skills, communication skills,

eye condition and prognosis, and functional vision and tactile discrimination skills.

Upon reaching this determination the committee shall write into the individualized

education p rogram of a blind student, the factors and evidence considered by the

committee in reaching its decision.

(4) Nothing in this section shall require the exclusive use of instruction in braille if

other methods of reading and writing may also be learned by the student.