How many areas of disability are eligible for funding under IDEA?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there are 13 specific categories of disabilities that are recognized and eligible for special education services and funding. These categories include Autism, Deafness, Deaf-Blindness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment including Blindness.

Recognizing these categories is crucial for ensuring that students with disabilities receive the appropriate resources, support, and interventions to facilitate their educational success. Each of these areas has specific criteria and characteristics that assist educators and specialists in identifying students who might need special education services, thereby aligning their educational planning and implementation with federal requirements. Understanding the breadth of these categories helps educators effectively advocate for and support the needs of students with disabilities in schools.