This act [28-7-1 to 28-7-7 NMSA 1978] may be cited as the “White Cane Law”. History: 1953 Comp., § 12-13-1, enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 232, § 1; recompiled as 1953 Comp., § 12-26-1, by Laws 1972, ch. 51, § 9. ANNOTATIONS Cross references. — For governor’s commission on disability, see 28-10-1 NMSA 1978 et […]
No officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state who is concerned with the administration of any program for the visually handicapped shall exert the influence of his office or position against the right of a person to join organizations for the visually handicapped. History: 1953 Comp., § 12-13-13, enacted […]
There is created the “medical eye care and sight conservation program” which shall be operated and administered by the commission for the blind. The medical eye care and sight conservation program shall serve persons who meet the program qualifications established by the commission and who are not eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. History: 1953 Comp., […]
Sections 1 through 9 [28-7-15 to 28-7-23 NMSA 1978] of this act may be cited as the “Commission for the Blind Act”. History: Laws 1986, ch. 108, § 1.
A. There is created the “commission for the blind”, consisting of three members, at least one of whom shall be blind, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Members of the first commission shall be appointed for staggered terms, one ending on December 31, 1988, one ending December 31, 1990 […]
The commission for the blind shall: A. apply for and receive money from any state or federal agency to be used for purposes relating to blindness and receive on behalf of the state any gifts, donations or bequests from any source, to be used in carrying out the commission’s duties; B. maintain a complete register […]
The commission shall appoint a director, who is the administrative officer of the commission. The director shall employ such assistants and employees as are necessary for the efficient operation of the commission. The director and all employees are subject to the Personnel Act [Chapter 10, Article 9 NMSA 1978]. History: Laws 1986, ch. 108, § […]
A. Qualification of a person as blind shall be determined by means of an eye examination by a licensed ophthalmologist. Blindness shall be the major handicap in cases of multiple handicaps. Persons who are not blind but who have been certified by a licensed ophthalmologist as suffering from a deteriorating condition which will result in […]
It is the policy of this state to encourage and enable persons who are blind, visually impaired or who have another physical disability to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative employment. History: 1953 Comp., § 12-13-2, enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 232, § 2; recompiled […]
In addition to arranging and paying for examinations to determine blindness, the commission may arrange and pay for medical and surgical treatment of blind persons whenever a listed ophthalmologist judges that the treatment will be beneficial. History: Laws 1986, ch. 108, § 6.
Whenever a licensed ophthalmologist finds a person he has examined to be blind, he shall report this fact, along with details of the examination, to the commission within thirty days of the examination date. History: Laws 1986, ch. 108, § 7.
The commission is authorized to receive and administer any federal funds relating to vocational rehabilitation of blind persons. History: Laws 1986, ch. 108, § 8.
The commission shall provide an opportunity for a fair hearing to any person applying for or receiving services who is dissatisfied with any act or failure to act arising from the operation of or administration of any program of the commission. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary to govern the conduct of […]
A. Persons who are blind, visually impaired or who have another physical disability have the same right as others to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities and other public places. B. Persons who are blind, visually impaired or who have another physical disability are entitled to […]
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a guide dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such blind pedestrian, and any driver who fails to take such precautions […]
A person, firm or corporation or the agent of a person, firm or corporation who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in Section 28-7-3 NMSA 1978 or otherwise interferes with the rights of a blind or visually impaired person or a person who has a physical disability enumerated […]
Each year, the governor shall take suitable public notice of October 15 as white cane safety day. The governor shall issue a proclamation in which the governor: A. comments upon the significance of the white cane; B. calls upon the citizens of the state to observe the provisions of the White Cane Law [28-7-1 to […]
It is the policy of this state that a person who is blind, visually impaired or who has another physical disability shall be employed in the state service, the service of the political subdivisions of the state, the public schools and all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds on the […]
ANNOTATIONS Repeals. — Laws 1983, ch. 60, § 4, repealed 28-7-8 to 28-7-12 NMSA 1978, as enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 274, §§ 1 to 5 and as recompiled by Laws 1972, ch. 51, § 9, relating to administrative procedures for complaints against the division of services for the blind, and establishing a fair hearing […]
