Physically Impaired

There is evidence of an orthopedic impairment that adversely affects the student’s performance in the educational environment in one or more of the following: ambulation, hand movement, coordination, or daily living skills. There is evidence that a severe skeletal, muscular, or neuromuscular impairment exists that adversely affects the student’s educational performance, such as significantly limiting the student’s ability to move about, sit, or manipulate the materials for learning or affecting ambulation, posture, or body use necessary in school work.

Students Who Are Physically Impaired with Other Health Impairment

There is evidence of a health impairment that results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and adversely affects the student’s performance in the educational environment. There is documented evidence that the student has a temporary or chronic lack of strength, vitality, or alertness, which results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and adversely affects the student’s performance in the educational environment. Evidence may include the medical diagnosis, observation, or testimonial evidence. Chronic or acute medical conditions may include but are not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury. 

6A-6.030152 Exceptional Student Education Eligibility for Students with Other Health Impairment.

(1) Definition. Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but is not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury.

(2) General education interventions and activities. Prior to referral for evaluation, the requirements in subsection 6A-6.0331(1), F.A.C., must be met.

(3) Evaluation. In addition to the provisions in subsection 6A-6.0331(5), F.A.C., the evaluation for determining eligibility shall include the following:

(a) A report of a medical examination, within the previous twelve-month (12) period, from a physician(s) licensed in Florida in accordance with Chapter 458 or 459, F.S., unless a report of medical examination from a physician licensed in another state is permitted in accordance with paragraph 6A-6.0331(3)(c), F.A.C. The physician’s report must provide a description of the impairment and any medical implications for instruction; and,

(b) An educational evaluation that identifies educational and environmental needs of the student.

(4) Criteria for eligibility. A student with other health impairment is eligible for exceptional student education if the following criteria are met:

(a) Evidence of other health impairment that results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and adversely affects the student’s performance in the educational environment; and,

(b) The student needs special education as defined in paragraph 6A-6.03411(1)(kk), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.01, 1003.57(1)(e), 1003.571 FS. Law Implemented 1003.01(3), 1003.21(1), 1003.57(1)(e), 1003.571 FS. History–New 7-1-07, Amended 12-15-09.