Texas Education Code - Section 54.205. Blind, Deaf Students
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§ 54.205. BLIND, DEAF STUDENTS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Resident" has the same meaning as is assigned it
in Subchapter B of this chapter.
(2) "Blind person" means a person who is a "blind
disabled individual" as defined in Section 91.051(5), Human
Resources Code.
(3) "Deaf person" means a person whose sense of
hearing is nonfunctional, after all necessary medical treatment,
surgery, and use of hearing aids, for understanding normal
conversation.
(4) "Tuition fees" includes all dues, fees, and
enrollment charges whatsoever for which exemptions may be lawfully
made, including fees for correspondence courses, general property
deposit fees, and student services fees, but does not include fees
or charges for lodging, board, or clothing.
(5) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, except that the term includes the
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.
(b) A deaf or blind person who is a resident is entitled to
exemption from the payment of tuition fees at any institution of
higher education utilizing public funds if he presents:
(1) certification that he is a "blind person" or a
"deaf person" as defined in Subsection (a) of this section by the
Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Commission for the Blind, or
Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as appropriate,
in a written statement, which certification is considered
conclusive;
(2) a written statement of purpose from the person
that indicates the certificate or degree program to be pursued or
the professional enhancement from the course of study for that
certificate or degree program;
(3) a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(4) a letter of recommendation from the principal of
the high school attended by the deaf or blind individual, a public
official, or some other responsible person who knows the deaf or
blind individual and is willing to serve as a reference; and
(5) proof that he meets all other entrance
requirements of the institution.
(c) The governing board of an institution may establish
special entrance requirements to fit the circumstances of deaf and
blind persons. The Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas
Commission for the Blind, the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may
develop any rules and procedures that these agencies determine
necessary for the efficient implementation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section, a person is required
to present certification that the person is a "blind person" or a
"deaf person" as required under Subsection (b)(1) of this section
at the time the person initially enrolls at an institution of higher
education in the course of study designated by the person under
Subsection (b)(2) of this section. The certification is valid for
each semester that the person enrolls at that institution in the
designated course of study.
(e) A person who qualifies for an exemption under this
section is entitled to the exemption for each course in which the
person enrolls at an institution of higher education.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 427, ch. 192, § 1,
2, eff. May 25, 1973; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 793, § 32, eff.
Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 392, § 1, 2, eff. Sept.
1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 116, § 1, eff. May 17, 1995;
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 835, § 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Section: 54.073 54.074 54.075 54.201 54.203 54.204 54.2041 54.205 54.207 54.208 54.209 54.210 54.211 54.2111 54.212
Last modified: August 10, 2007
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