Policy on Protection, Use, and Release of Personal Information
34CFR Section 361.50, requires the Department for the Blind to develop and maintain current policies covering the nature and scope and the criteria under which each service is provided.
A. Nature and Scope
All identifiable personal information collected by the Department, including photographs and lists of names, shall be considered confidential and shall be used only in conjunction with administration of services provided by the Department. Confidential information shall not be released without the written consent of the person identified in the information except:
- As part of routine cooperation between the Department and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Disability Determination Unit, to expedite Social Security eligibility determinations.
- In response to an order issued by a judge, magistrate, or other authorized judicial officer in order to protect an individual or others if the individual poses a threat to his or her safety or to the safety of others.
B. Criteria
All applicants and eligible individuals and, as appropriate, their representatives, service providers, cooperating agencies, and interested persons will be informed through appropriate modes of communication of the confidentiality of personal information and the conditions for accessing and releasing this information.
Information considered for release includes only that which has been purchased or developed by the Department. Information regarding drug and alcohol abuse will be safeguarded in accordance with Iowa Public Law 93-282 and will not be released without the written consent of the individual identified in the information.
Revised: 08/13/01