Section 35IAC2-9-6. PERF determinations and disqualifying conditions

   (a) As determined by the PERF board or the PERF board's designee, based on the results of the general medical history and the physical examination of the candidate, the existence of any of the conditions identified in subsection (b) will result in the revocation of the candidate's conditional offer of employment unless the conditions can be eliminated or effectively reduced by reasonable accommodations to the extent required under the Americans with Disabilities Act as determined by the appointing authority and certified to PERF.

  (b) The following are disqualifying conditions:

(1) Vision testing as follows:

(A) Any of the following tests for far vision acuity:

(i) Binocular vision not correctable to at least 20/30.

(ii) Vision of the worse eye not correctable to at least 20/50.

(iii) Uncorrected binocular vision of worse than 20/100, with the exception that long term successful users of soft contact lenses do not have to meet this uncorrected standard.

(B) Color vision. An inability to identify red, green, and yellow colors.

(C) Peripheral vision. Uncorrected field of vision of worse than one hundred forty (140) degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye.

(2) Hearing deficit. A hearing deficit in the pure tone thresholds (five hundred (500) hertz, one thousand (1,000) hertz, two thousand (2,000) hertz, and three thousand (3,000) hertz) in the unaided worse ear:

(A) of more than twenty-five (25) decibels in three (3) of the four (4) frequencies;

(B) of more than thirty (30) decibels in any one (1) of the first three (3) frequencies; or

(C) an average loss within the four (4) frequencies of more than thirty (30) decibels.

(3) Communicable diseases. Any communicable disease or condition that poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the candidate, coworkers, or members of the public with whom the candidate will come in contact during the course of employment.

(4) Suddenly incapacitating diseases or conditions. Any disease or condition (physical or mental) that could incapacitate the candidate without sufficient warning to allow the candidate to take preventive measures, thereby imposing a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the candidate, coworkers, or members of the public with whom the candidate will come in contact during the course of employment (unless such disease or condition can be controlled by medication and the candidate affirms he or she takes the appropriate medication).

(5) Alcoholism or illegal use of drugs as follows:

(A) Any history of alcoholism, unless the candidate has successfully rehabilitated for a period of at least one (1) year, successfully passes an examination for alcohol usage, and the candidate affirms he or she is no longer engaging in the use of alcohol and has successfully rehabilitated for a period of at least one (1) year preceding his or her application for employment.

(B) Any history of illegal use of drugs or evidence of drug abuse, unless the candidate has successfully rehabilitated for a period of at least one (1) year, successfully passes an examination for use of drugs or drug abuse, and the candidate affirms he or she is no longer engaging in drug abuse and has successfully rehabilitated for a period of at least one (1) year preceding his or her application for employment.

  (c) The determination of whether a candidate's condition poses a significant risk of substantial harm will be based on an objective individualized assessment of the applicant's present ability to safely perform the essential functions of the job considering reasonable accommodations to the extent required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Factors to be considered include the following:

(1) The duration of the risk.

(2) The nature and severity of the potential harm.

(3) The likelihood that the potential harm will occur.

(4) The imminence of the potential harm.

Relevant evidence may include input from the applicant, the experience of the applicant in previous similar positions, opinions of medical doctors, rehabilitation counselors, or physical therapists who have expertise in the disability involved, or direct knowledge of the applicant. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 2-9-6; filed May 27, 1993, 12:00 p.m.: 16 IR 2340, eff Jul 1, 1993; readopted filed Oct 31, 2001, 2:21 p.m.: 25 IR 898; adopted Nov 9, 2007: 20071205-IR-035070818ONA)