Section 260.349 - Orientation and Mobility(a) A program provider must ensure an orientation and mobility service provider: (1) evaluates an individual's ability to use existing senses to determine the individual's position within the environment, including home, school, work, and other community settings;(2) develops a plan that: (A) identifies the individual's goals and outcomes; and(B) enables the individual to acquire skills to safely move from one place to another within the environment, including home, school, work, and other community settings; and(3) trains other service providers to:(A) create an environment in home, school, work, and community settings that enhances the individual's ability to move safely and efficiently; and(B) carry through on goals and outcomes identified in the plan.(b) A program provider must ensure an orientation and mobility service provider:(1) has:(A) certification from the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; or(B) the National Orientation and Mobility Certification through the National Blindness Professional Certification Board; or(2) has a bachelor's or master's degree in orientation and mobility from a college or university accredited by a state agency or a non-governmental entity recognized by the United States Department of Education.(c) A program provider may bill HHSC for orientation and mobility only for the following activities:(1) assessing and evaluating the need for services;(2) developing and implementing the plan described in subsection (a)(2) of this section;(3) evaluating the individual's progress toward achieving the goals and outcomes described in the IPP with updates to the program provider;(4) providing direct intervention;(5) interacting with the individual or LAR regarding the individual's needs and progress toward achieving orientation and mobility goals;(6) consulting with family members and other service providers regarding the individual's needs and progress toward achieving orientation and mobility goals;(7) participating in service planning team meetings, when requested;(8) training other service providers to carry through on orientation and mobility goals and outcomes; and(9) participating in a fair hearing at the request of a member of the service planning team to provide information concerning orientation and mobility goals and outcomes.26 Tex. Admin. Code § 260.349
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 07, February 17, 2023, TexReg 0915, eff. 2/26/2023