Multiple Disabilities

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 15-761 (16), "‘multiple disability’ means learning and developmental problems resulting from multiple disabilities as determined by evaluation ...that cannot be provided for adequately in a program designed to meet the needs of children with less complex disabilities. Multiple disabilities include any of the following conditions that require the provision of special education and related services:

A. Two or more of the following conditions

• Hearing impairment.
• Orthopedic impairment.
• Moderate mental retardation.
• Visual impairment

B. A child with a disability listed in subdivision (a) of this paragraph existing concurrently with a condition of mild mental retardation, emotional disability or specific learning disability."

In addition, the Arizona Revised Statutes Article 4, Section 15-761 notes "‘multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairment’ means multiple disabilities that include at least one of the following:

A. Severe visual impairment or severe hearing impairment in combination with another severe disability.

B. Severe visual impairment and severe hearing impairment."

Severe and/or multiple disabilities are terms used to describe the often intense and complex combinations of medical, physical, developmental, and/or behavioral characteristics a child might have.

How Common Are Multiple Disabilities?
In the 1997-98 school year 1,510 students were classified as having multiple disabilities or multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairment and received special education services. This number represents .002% of the 794,928 children enrolled in Arizona public schools as of October 1, 1997.

What Effect Do Multiple Disabilities Have On A Child?
Depending on the type and severity of a child’s disabilities, he or she will most likely require ongoing support in more than one major life skill area. A team of educators and therapists will work closely with the student and his/her family to plan a successful educational program. The individualized program will include a variety of supports to meet the student’s educational, language, social, vocational, and functional skill development. Accommodations for medication schedules, special diets and adaptive equipment will be included.

The individual with multiple disabilities can engage in a wide variety of useful and satisfying activities that will be beneficial in school, the community and workplace. Community-based instruction is an important component of the older student’s plan and includes transition planning for post-school work and living arrangements.