DEAF/BLIND - MULTIPLE DISABILITIES

Deaf/Blind Definition

"Deaf/Blind" refers to sensory impairments, visual impairment and hearing impairment, occurring in combination with each other. Frequently, other disabilities also occur concomitantly with the combination of a visual and hearing impairment. The combination of these disabilities causes significant educational problems.

Criteria for Initial Determination of Eligibility

After completing all previous steps required in the special education process, the multidisciplinary team may determine that a student is deaf/blind if appropriate diagnostic information identifies the presence of:

Sensory impairments, both visual impairment and hearing impairment, occurring in combination,

AND significant educational problems caused by the multiple impairments. These problems may be developmental, communicative, self-help, orientation and mobility, etc.

It must be emphasized that the presence of these two (2) criteria can only be determined by "appropriate diagnostic information" which would include a comprehensive visual and audiological evaluation by qualified personnel and a comprehensive educational evaluation by personnel familiar with the assessment of multiply Sensory Impaired students.

"Multiple disabilities refers to physical and/or sensory impairments occurring in combination with each other or concomitantly with other disabling conditions. The combination of these disabilities causes significant educational problems. Examples of disabilities that frequently occur concomitantly would include: Physically Impaired-Mentally Retarded, Visually Impaired-Physically Impaired, and Hearing Impaired-Mentally Retarded.

Criteria for Initial Determination of Eligibility

After completing all previous steps required in the special education process, the multidisciplinary team may determine that a student has multiple disabilities if appropriate diagnostic information identifies the presence of:

Physical and sensory impairments occurring in combination OR a physical or sensory impairment occurring concomitantly with but not the causal factor of an additional disabling conditions,

AND significant educational problems caused by the multiple impairments.

It must be emphasized that the presence of these two (2) criteria can only be determined by "appropriate diagnostic information" which would include a comprehensive physical and/or sensory evaluation by qualified personnel and a comprehensive educational evaluation by personnel familiar with the assessment of students with physical and/or sensory impairments.