Low Inoider(ee Fact Sheet 2015/2014 Detinition: 50 EC 66026.6. "Low incidence disability": a severe disabling condition with an expected incidence rate of less than one pereent of the total statewide enrollment in kindongarten through grade 12. Severe disabling conditions are: a. Hearing impairments », Vision impairments (Bxclides visual perception problems specified in ‘EC Section 66338). ©. Severe orthopedic impairments 4. Any combination thereof e.g, deaf blind ¢, Identification as multi-handicapped does not generate low incidence funds but the child may have a need and is eligible for specialized equipment. Recommended that at least one low incidence disability be included as the primary or secondary category. Eligibility for Low Incidence Services and Materials: (2) Pupils with low incidence disabilities require highly specialized services, equipment, and materials. “Low incidence funding comes in two separate categories: (1) Funding for specialized books, materials, and equipment; and (@ Funding speolalized services. ‘A. Use of Funds ‘The use of these funds is Himited to expenditures supporting low incidence specialized services such as "interpreters, note takers, readers, twansoribers, and others who provide spedialized services to students with Jow incidence disabilities pursuant to HC § 660265. "These specialized services must relate tothe unique educational needs resulting from the pupil's low incidence disability or disabilities. Low incidence specialized service funds are to be used to supplement, and not to supplant existing services. (i.e., to provide additional services beyond those funded through the base program or another agency). Expenditures of low ineldence specialized services funds are limited to direst services to the pupils with low meidenco disabilities, and cannct bo used for services to staff, or for any other purpose. These funds should not be used to provide services to meet general education needs provided through the base program. Services must relate to a need documented in the IEP based on assessment results for each pupil receiving the services. Identification as multi-handleapped does not generate low incidencefunds but the child may have a need and is eligible for Specialized Equipment. The language “or any combination thereof” has been. interpreted to mean a student is eligible for Low Incidence funding if (s) he hhas at least one of the three severe disabling condition regardless of any other disabilities that may also be present. For example, a pupil who is deaf and also Developmentally Delayed ‘would still be eligible to receive services funded by low incidence funds even if the pupil was reported as developmentally delayed or multi handicapped. On the other hand, some students classified as orthopedically impaired may not be eligible to receive low incidence funding because they are not “severely orthopedically handicapped” per the definition in EC Sect. 6602.6. Pupils with severe orthopedic impairments require highly specialized services, materials and equipment per #0 sect. 66000.6(b). Generally, a student with severe orthopedio impairment would have a ‘medical diagnosis including significant gross motor, range of motion deficiencies. FUNDING: IDEA requires IEP teams consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services for all students with disabilities. TEP requirements alao includs the need, as appropriate, for the toaa to consider Braille instruction for students who are blind or visually impaired, and language and communication needs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, Low incidence funding comes in two separate categories: (2) Specialized books, materials, and equipment; and (2) Specialized services. Specialized Materials: School districts and county offices give first prlority to expenditures to provide specialized books, materials, and ‘equipment that are necessary and appropriate for the individualized ‘education programs of pupils with low incidence disabilities. ((®) Equipment purchased shall include, but not necessarily be limited to: a), Non-prescriptive equipment ). Sensory aids, ). And other equipment and materials as appropriate. Since the use of these funds is limited to expenditures on books, materials, and equipment for students with low incidence disabilities, the purchase must relate to the unique educational needs resulting from the low inoldence disability as indicated in the IEP of eligible students.For example: a), Regular textbooks and workbooks, as well as bolsters and mats {for young children should bea part of basic equipment and would not quality. »), Low vision aids, digital media, lange print or Braille books for students who are visually impaired, and specialized adapted feeding and selfcare equipment, needed by children because of their severe orthopedic impairments, would quality Low incidence funds are to be used only to supplement, and not to supplant other available funding for books; materials and equipment provided through the base program for general education and/or special education students. 1 Support staff development. 2, Purchase medical therapy units for California Children’s Services, 5. Purchase medical equipment needed for providing specialized health needs. 4. Construct or alter facilities (for example, building ramps), or to acquire storage units,