Sensory Impairments
Visually Impaired Definition
"Visually Impaired" is a generic term, including both partially sighted and blind, which refers to students with any type of visual impairment and which, even with correction, adversely affects the student's educational performance. Students with visual impairments can be further described as partially sighted or blind based on the degree of visual impairment and their educational needs.
"Partially sighted" refers to the presence of visual acuity so limited as to require specific educational compensation of a significant nature in order for the learning needs of the student to be met adequately by the school. Generally, the partially sighted student has a central visual acuity range of 20170 to 20/200 in the better eye with best correction by glasses.
"Blind" refers to visual acuity so limited as to require a comprehensive educational program using large print and recorded materials, mobility training, braille skills, self-help, and dailycare skills development. Generally, the blind student has a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after best correction by glasses or peripheral vision of 200 or less.
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 a Visual Impairment if appropriate diagnostic information identifies the presence of:
Any type of visual impairment, such as:
corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye,
a medically documented progressive vision loss, rapid involuntary eye movement,
AND an educational problem caused by the visual impairment. The visual impairment must interfere with the student's ability to function in an educational program using traditional instructional materials and techniques.
It must be emphasized that the presence of these two criteria can only be determined by "appropriate diagnostic information" which would include a comprehensive visual evaluation by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist and comprehensive educational evaluation by personnel familiar with the assessment of students with vision disorders.
Hearing Impaired Definition
"Hearing Impaired" is a generic term including both deaf and hard of hearing which refers to students with any type or degree of hearing loss that has caused an educational deficit.
"Deaf" refers to those students with hearing impairments with a loss so severe that it precludes the use of the auditory channel as the primary means of developing Speech/Language skills.
"Hard of hearing" refers to those students with hearing impairments with a permanent or fluctuating loss which is less severe and permits the use of the auditory channel as the primary means of developing Speech/Language skills.
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 a Hearing Impairment if appropriate diagnostic information identifies the presence of:
A hearing impairment,
AND an educational problem caused by the hearing impairment. The hearing impairment must interfere with the student's ability to function in an educational program using traditional instructional materials and techniques.
It must be emphasized that the presence of these two criteria can only be determined by "appropriate diagnostic information" which includes a comprehensive hearing evaluation by a qualified audiologist and a comprehensive educational evaluation by personnel familiar with the assessment of students with auditory disorders. Because no quantitative standard is in place for determining the presence or absence of a hearing impairment or related educational problem, it may be difficult to make a decision regarding some borderline students. The multidisciplinary team should rely on the expertise of the audiologist, teacher of the Hearing Impaired, and Speech/Language specialist when making such judgments.