Overview
The United States Department of Education (USDE) defines low incidence disabilities a “visual or hearing impairment or simultaneous visual and hearing impairments, a significant cognitive impairment or any impairment for which a small number of personnel with highly specialized skills and knowledge are needed in order for children with that impairment to receive early intervention services or a free and appropriate education” (FAPE). IDEA Section 662, 20 U.S.C. § 1462 (c)(3)
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) further defines a significant cognitive impairment as “a student who exhibits significant intellectual and adaptive behavior deficits in their ability to plan, comprehend, and reason, and also indicates adaptive behavior deficits that limit their ability to apply social and practical skills such as personal care, social problem-solving skills, dressing, eating, using money, and other functional skills across life domains; is not identified based on English learner designation or solely on the basis of previous low academic achievement or the need for accommodations; and requires extensive, direct, individualized instruction, as well as a need from substantial supports that are neither temporary nor specific to a particular content area.
Region 10 offers staff development and technical assistance to support local education agencies (LEA) in the area of low incidence disabilities and the assistive technology (AT) often used by this population of students.
Staff development topics related to the instruction of students with low incidence disabilities include updates to state and federal regulations and/or guidelines, instructional strategies and evidence-based practices, educational and instructional resources, and current research.
Technical assistance may include support in Active Learning, coaching, classroom supports, identifying and/or assessing students’ individualized needs, PLAAFP and goal writing for IEPS, etc. Technical assistance may include support or guidance through the AT evaluation process and AT recommendations, however, Region 10 does not conduct individual student AT evaluations. Click the button below to request assistance and you will be contacted soon.
Region 10 AT/LID/VI Technical Assistance Request form
Region 10 has a limited inventory of resources available for checkout to LEAs within the region.