Low Incidence Disabilities

According to the definition in IDEA, a low incidence disability means 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 chidlren with that impairment to receive early intervention services or a free appropriate public education (IDEA).

Assistive Technology

According to IDEA, Assistive Technology is defined as "Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities." The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

As defined in IDEA, an assistive technology service "Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device.: The term includes...

The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
Coordinating and use other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child's family; and
Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities.

Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD)

Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) is aligned to Ohio’s Learning Standards–Extended (OLS-E) and designed to allow students with significant cognitive disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in an appropriately rigorous assessment. The AASCD will be administered by grade band: 3-5, 6-8 and High School (HS). Students in grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 will be assessed in English language arts and mathematics. Students in grades 5 and 8 will be assessed in English language arts, mathematics and science. Students taking the HS-AASCD will be assessed in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

Ohio Alternate Assessment Portal

The Ohio Alternate Assessment Portal is your gateway to all systems and resources for the administration of the Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD). It includes FAQs and resources for students and families, teachers/test administrators, test coordinators, and technology coordinators. Although this test portal is available to the public, several systems require users to log in using their account information.

Resources

Administrating Literacy Assessments for Low Incidence Disabilities and Complex Communications Needs

Assistive Technology and Educational Materials Center

Annual Census Brochure

NFADB Brochure

Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI)

Children's Hearing and Vision Program

2024 Trainings

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Children's Hearing and Vision program offers free hearing and vision screening training. The 2024 Live Regional trainings dates have been updated please use the links below to register.

Training Opportunities:

Regional Virtual Training.

Virtual Training Training Registration Link August 13, 2024

Virtual Training Training Registration Link October 8, 2024

Virtual Training Training Registration Link December 10, 2024

Hearing screening training includes anatomy and physiology of the ear, common pediatric ear problems, overview of ODH hearing screening requirements and can assist with hands-on training with pure-tone audiometer. Tympanometry and otoacoustic emission training is available upon request.

Vision screening training includes anatomy and physiology of the eye, abnormalities of the eye, ODH vision screening requirements, and hands-on training with vision screening equipment.

Through a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health (Save Our Sight Fund), Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate offers free evidence-based training, certification, and equipment for individuals who screen children in preschool through twelfth grade.

The Prevent Blindness Vision Screening Training and Certification Program was developed cooperatively by Prevent Blindness, The Ohio Department of Health, and the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (National Center).

For questions regarding hearing screening guidelines, please contact Melissa Herrick at [email protected] or (614) 466-1995.

For questions regarding vision screening guidelines, please contact Molly Nelson at [email protected] or (614) 466-4183.

New Resources on The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness Learning Hub

New resources have been launched on The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI on the Learning Hub to support instruction and access for learners with low incidence disabilities. The module series Unlocking the Foundations of Reading for Learners who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing is intended to bring reading research to the classroom in a format that is easy for educators to access. Modules 1-3 are available now, with more modules in the series on the way.

Even with high quality instruction, students can’t learn what they can’t access. To support providers in ensuring access for learners who are deaf/hard of hearing, The Outreach Center teamed up with Montgomery County ESC to walk through the Functional Listening Evaluation in an on-demand module with step-by-step instructions, video-based demonstrations, and case studies to apply your learning. If you have any questions on available resources or support for educators, please contact us at [email protected].