SECTIONS 19525-19526 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 19525-19526

19525. The department may appoint counselor-teachers to provide
individual guidance and training to the adult blind of the state.
Such counselor-teachers shall give individual instruction in those
techniques which will enable the blind to adjust to daily living in
the home and in the community. They shall teach the blind reading and
writing of braille, typing, travel techniques, household arts and
crafts in accordance with the needs of the blind, and give them such
other instruction as may enhance their opportunities for personal
rehabilitation. This program shall be closely coordinated with
vocational rehabilitation services for the blind, the Orientation
Center for the Blind and opportunity work centers for the blind.

19526. Whenever any blind person with the proper educational
qualifications regularly matriculates, enters, and works for a
degree, or for a diploma of graduation, in any university, college,
or state college in this state, and who is not a recipient of
federally assisted vocational rehabilitation services, the Director
of Rehabilitation shall provide from any funds appropriated for the
purpose from the General Fund a reader to assist him in his studies.
Of the funds appropriated by the 1969 Legislature in the Budget Act
for such purpose, the sum of thirty-six thousand five hundred dollars
($36,500) shall be used for this purpose for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1970, and any appropriations for succeeding years shall be
determined by the Legislature.
Any reader whose services are provided pursuant to this section
shall be deemed an independent contractor whose services shall have
been contracted by the Director of Rehabilitation for the benefit of
such blind person and not an employee of the Department of
Rehabilitation. Compensation for readers shall be established at a
rate high enough to obtain competent readers but in no event shall
such compensation be less than the basic federal minimum wage. No
more than 1,100 hours of service by a reader per annum shall be
allowed for the instruction of any one student, except that for
graduate students not more than 1,300 hours of service by a reader
shall be allowed for the instruction of any one student, provided
that a greater amount may be expended if the Director of
Rehabilitation finds that the instruction of a student will be
facilitated by such additional expenditure.