About the Project

Special Education Eligibility Criteria in the United States Related to Students with Visual Impairments and Deafblindness

Overview of IDEA and Eligibility

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets forth special education policy in the United States, defining eligibility for services. The act specifies conditions under which students qualify for assistance, including those with “visual impairment including blindness” and “deafblindness.” Since its last amendment in 2004, IDEA allows states to establish their own criteria for determining eligibility based on these federal definitions.

State Variability in Eligibility Criteria

This section explores the differences in how states apply these definitions. It includes a comparison of state criteria against the federal standards and details about required assessments and the professionals involved in the eligibility determination process. Researchers have thoroughly reviewed state regulatory and policy documents to assess the variability in eligibility requirements for students with visual impairments and deafblindness across the US.

Purpose of This Information

The provided information aims to support families, policymakers, educators, researchers, advocates, and teacher preparation programs in understanding the special education eligibility criteria for students with visual impairments or deafblindness in each state/territory. This material serves as a guide to how IDEA eligibility varies throughout the US.

Verification and Updates

The original data collection for this site was completed in 2021. We are committed to keeping this information up-to-date. Please refer to the specific state page to check the year when the content was last updated. If you find any discrepancies or outdated information, please notify us at connectcenter@aph.org or 1 (800) 232-5463.

Reference

Schles R. A., Travers H. E., Brusegaard C., Savaiano M., Vo H., Kaiser J. T., Anderson D. L. (2022). Special Education Eligibility Criteria and Professional Certification Requirements in the United States Related to Students with Visual Impairments and Deafblindness. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2022-07-11. https://doi.org/10.3886/E174948