For the purposes of this chapter:
(1) The term “blind person” means, and the term “blind” refers to, a person who is totally blind, has impaired vision of not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye and for whom vision cannot be improved to better than 20/200, or who has loss of vision due wholly or in part to impairment of field vision or to other factors which affect the usefulness of vision to a like degree.
(2) The term “deaf person” means a person who is totally deaf or a person with hearing impairment that severely interferes with his or her ability to hear environmental noises.
(3) The term “guide dog” means a dog that is specially trained to assist a blind or deaf person and one which a blind or deaf person relies on for assistance.
(4) The term “person with a physical disability” refers to an individual who has a medically determinable physical impairment (other than blindness) which interferes with his ability to move about, to assist himself, or to engage in an occupation.
(5) The term “service animal” means an animal, including a guide dog, that is specially trained to assist a person who is blind or has a physical disability and one which a person who is blind or has a physical disability relies on for assistance.
(6) The term “service animal in training” means an animal that is:
(A) At least 6 months of age;
(B) Undergoing special training to assist a person who is blind or has a physical disability;
(C) Accompanied by an experienced service animal trainer; and
(D) Designated as a service animal in training by wearing a harness, backpack, or vest that identifies it as a service animal in training.
CREDIT(S)
(Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 972, Pub. L. 92-515, § 8; Mar. 5, 1981, D.C. Law 3-144, § 2(d), 27 DCR 4659; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-305, § 25(g), 53 DCR 6198; May 22, 2010, D.C. Law 18-146, § 2(c), 57 DCR 2549.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-1709.
1973 Ed., § 6-1508.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-305, in par. (4), substituted “person with a physical disability” for “otherwise physically disabled”.
D.C. Law 18-146 added pars. (5) and (6).
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 3-144, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-1002.
For Law 16-305, see notes following § 7-531.01.
For Law 18-146, see notes following § 7-1002.