California Education Code § 44265.5 outlines credential requirements for specialized teachers serving students with low incidence disabilities:
(1) Pupils who are visually impaired, as defined in California Education Code § 56350, shall be taught by teachers whose professional preparation and credential authorization are specific to that disabling condition. (2) Pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be taught by teachers whose professional preparation and credential authorization are specific to that disabling condition. (3) Pupils who are orthopedically disabled shall be taught by teachers whose professional preparation and credential authorization are specific to that disabling condition. California Education Code § 56363(b)(16) states the Designated Instruction Services (DIS) “may include but not be limited to: Specialized services for low incidence disabilities, such as readers, transcribers, and vision and hearing services. These services are further defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 5, § 3051.16 : Specialized Services for low incidence disabilities may include: (b) Specialized services related to the unique needs of pupils with low incidence disabilities provided by qualified individuals such as interpreters, note takers, readers, transcribers, and other individuals who provide specialized materials and equipment. Through a special state low incidence fund, the DMSELPA is provided limited funds each year for specialized equipment for eligible low incidence children. The funds are provided based on the low incidence pupil count on December 1 each year. Children whose primary or secondary disability is Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Visually Impaired, or Orthopedic Impaired may be eligible for low incidence equipment and services and utilize low incidence funding. Please see Chapter 13 - Low Incidence Funding for additional information. Funds may be used for all children with the low incidence disabilities as defined in law, for both primary and secondary eligibilities. For example, a child is deaf and developmentally delayed would still be eligible to receive services funded by low incidence funds even if the child was reported as developmentally delayed or multi-handicapped. A low incidence disability does not guarantee the access of low incidence funds. The IEP team reviews assessment data and determines the most appropriate items or services needed to address the child’s unique educational needs. These may, or may not, be “specialized” items, which if found in most classrooms, would not be “specialized” and eligible for payment through low incidence funds.
Chapter 5 – Supports and Services, Desert/Mountain SELPA As of 10/18/19 D/M SELPA Steering Committee Approval
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