Section 17-402-1 - State agency for the blind and visually handicapped(a) The department of social services and housing is the official state agency authorized to provide rehabilitation and related services for the blind and visually handicapped. The services for the blind branch is the designated unit of the vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division to: (1) Administer the operations of the branch and its facility, known as Ho'opono, rehabilitation center for the blind and visually handicapped;(2) Coordinate all activities on Oahu serving and rehabilitating the blind and visually handicapped;(3) Establish policies and procedures to assure uniform and expeditious handling of referrals and applications in the provision of services to eligible individuals;(4) Direct the provision of services in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures;(5) Provide consultation and assistance to other branches in the division to assure services to the blind and visually handicapped on a statewide basis;(6) Conduct educational programs for the understanding and prevention of blindness;(7) Maintain a registry of blind persons in the State; and(8) Provide consultation and technical assistance to public and private organizations also serving the blind and visually handicapped.(b) Services include but are not limited to: (1) Vocational rehabilitation services as defined and described in Chapter 401, Title 17, Administrative Rules;(2) Social services, counseling and guidance to eligible individuals, spouses, parents of minors, and other family members in the adjustment to visual loss;(3) Low vision clinic examinations, prescription and fitting of special optical aids and appliances to maximize residual vision;(4) Instruction in skill development and adaptive methods and provision of activities and work to enable individuals to be rehabilitated into gainful occupations, to increase their capacity for independence, and to reduce the functional limitations of visual loss; and(5) Instructional services and activities including orientation and mobility, personal and home management, occupational therapy, manual arts, communication skills, operation of vending facilities, work evaluation and work adjustment training, and sheltered employment.(c) The branch shall administer its program and conduct its activities in accordance with §§ 17-400-3, 17-400-4 the division's regulations on non-discrimination and complaints and fair hearings.[Eff. NOV 5 1981] (Auth: HRS §§ 347-3, 347-4, 348-3, 348-6; 29 U.S.C. §706; am Pub. L. No. 122, § 122; am 45 C.F.R. §1361.6) (Imp: HRS §§ 347-4, 348-3, 348-6; 29 U.S.C. §706; am 45 C.F.R. §1361.6 )