For Students with Mental Retardation

Mental retardation is a form of developmental disability characterized primarily by an intelligence quotient (IQ) that is significantly below average. Other developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, dyslexia, and certain learning disorders. An education program for a student with mental retardation varies depending on the student’s level of disability. Instruction may center on developing communication, socialization, or daily living skills. Many students with retardation receive services in regular classes in their local schools. Others with more profound levels of retardation may attend classes in specialized schools or hospital facilities designed for students with special needs. See also Education of Students with Mental Retardation.

For Students with Physical Disabilities

Students with physical disabilities often benefit from the use of technology designed to increase their capability to participate in classroom activities. Technological devices used by these students may be relatively simple, such as leg braces for students with orthopedic problems, or they may be as complex as a computer that synthesizes speech patterns for children whose disability causes speech disorders (see Speech Synthesis). Some of these technological devices are very expensive and strain the budgets of many school districts. Educators and parents work closely to determine the best use of school resources for classroom modifications and acquisitions of technology for all children with special needs. See also Education of Students with Physical Disabilities.

For Students with Vision Impairments

Many children who have low vision or are blind learn to read and write by using the Braille system of raised dots that can be read by touch rather than sight. They may also use a special laptop computer that allows them to take notes in Braille and print in Braille or English. Sophisticated electronic devices can also convert print into a form that is readable by blind or visually impaired students. Some computers can scan printed text for a blind student and read it aloud by means of a synthetic voice. Most children with visual impairments have some functional vision and can often read by using large-print materials. See also Education of Students with Vision Impairments.

Blindness