Section 21-1-8

Residential education and training programs for deaf, blind, etc., persons; cooperation by local school boards, State Board of Education, etc.

(a) The board of trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is hereby authorized to provide for the education and training of the deaf, the hearing impaired, the blind and the visually handicapped in residential programs at any location within the state, with no limitations on the age of participants and no time limit on any participant.

(b) All applicants must make satisfactory proof to the president of the institute that they are citizens of the state, except as otherwise provided in Section 21-1-14, and that they are proper candidates for admission. Proof may be made by the applicant in person or by next best friend or by affidavit of any person cognizant of the facts before the probate judge or notary public. No pupil shall be retained in school after it has been ascertained that such pupil has ceased to make progress or is not being benefited. Any pupil may be dropped at any time for cause by the board of trustees.

(c) The board of trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is hereby authorized to cooperate with any local school board or group of school boards, with the State Board of Education and with any other state agencies in providing education and training and necessary supportive services to persons having disabilities under the scope of this section.

(d) Local school boards, the State Board of Education and all other state agencies are hereby authorized to cooperate, in their discretion, with the board of trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in providing education and training and necessary supportive services to persons having disabilities under the scope of this section.

(e) Nothing in this section shall abrogate the responsibility of any local school board or of the State Board of Education under Chapter 39 of Title 16 of this Code.

(School Code 1927, §582; Acts 1931, No. 281, p. 332; Code 1940, T. 52, §524; Acts 1943, No. 250, p. 220; Acts 1975, No. 1164, p. 2290, §§1-4.)