Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §15-761(18) states: "'Orthopedic impairment' means one or more severe orthopedic impairments and includes those that are caused by congenital anomaly, disease, and other causes, such as amputation or cerebral palsy, and that adversely affects a child's performance in the educational environment." Examples of orthopedic impairments that may be caused by birth defects are clubfoot and absence of one or more limbs. Orthopedic impairments that may be caused by disease include polio and arthritis. Other causes of orthopedic impairment may include cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures which cause stiff and/or immovable joints called contractures.

A student is determined eligible for special education services if 1) the criteria of the state definition of a student with an orthopedic impairment is met, 2) the multidisciplinary evaluation team (MET) determines that the orthopedic impairment negatively impacts a student's educational performance, and 3) the child is in need of special education and/or related services to benefit from his/her education.

How Common is an Orthopedic Impairment?
In the 1995-96 school year, 748 students in Arizona were classified under Orthopedic Impairment and received special education services. This number represents 0.1 percent of the 747,849 students enrolled in Arizona public schools.

What Effect Does an Orthopedic Impairment Have on a Child?
Some students are only mildly affected by their physical disability, but it can also affect the child's ability to move, coordination, stamina, communication, or learning abilities. Many times adjustments can be made in the environment and instruction and special education may not be needed in order for the child to benefit from his/her education. Others may be extremely limited in their activities and learning and may require intensive medical and/or educational help.

Educational services are provided in a variety of settings including: regular classrooms, resource rooms, special classes, hospitals, the home, or special schools, to name a few. The need for related services is often an important consideration in determining which program best meets the needs of the student. Related services may include special transportation, assistive technology, environmental adaptations, adaptive physical education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school health services, school counseling, and/or social work services.