(c) Low incidence disabilities; authorized activities
- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall support activities, consistent with the objectives described in subsection (a), that benefit children with low incidence disabilities.
- Activities that may be carried out under this subsection include activities such as the following:
- (A) Preparing persons who—
- (i) have prior training in educational and other related service fields; and
- (ii) are studying to obtain degrees, certificates, or licensure that will enable the persons to assist children with low incidence disabilities to achieve the objectives set out in their individualized education programs described in section 1414(d) of this title, or to assist infants and toddlers with low incidence disabilities to achieve the outcomes described in their individualized family service plans described in section 1436 of this title.
- (B) Providing personnel from various disciplines with interdisciplinary training that will contribute to improvement in early intervention, educational, and transitional results for children with low incidence disabilities.
- (C) Preparing personnel in the innovative uses and application of technology, including universally designed technologies, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services—
- (i) to enhance learning by children with low incidence disabilities through early intervention, educational, and transitional services; and
- (ii) to improve communication with parents.
- (D) Preparing personnel who provide services to visually impaired or blind children to teach and use Braille in the provision of services to such children.
- (E) Preparing personnel to be qualified educational interpreters, to assist children with low incidence disabilities, particularly deaf and hard of hearing children in school and school related activities, and deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers and preschool children in early intervention and preschool programs.
- (F) Preparing personnel who provide services to children with significant cognitive disabilities and children with multiple disabilities.
- (G) Preparing personnel who provide services to children with low incidence disabilities and limited English proficient children.
- In this section, the term “low incidence disability” means—
- (A) a visual or hearing impairment, or simultaneous visual and hearing impairments;
- (B) a significant cognitive impairment; or
- (C) any impairment for which a small number of personnel with highly specialized skills and knowledge are needed in order for children with that impairment to receive early intervention services or a free appropriate public education.
- In selecting eligible entities for assistance under this subsection, the Secretary may give preference to eligible entities submitting applications that include 1 or more of the following:
- (A) A proposal to prepare personnel in more than 1 low incidence disability, such as deafness and blindness.
- (B) A demonstration of an effective collaboration between an eligible entity and a local educational agency that promotes recruitment and subsequent retention of personnel who meet the applicable requirements described in section 1412(a)(14) of this title to serve children with low incidence disabilities.
- The Secretary shall ensure that all recipients of awards under this subsection who will use that assistance to prepare personnel to provide services to visually impaired or blind children that can appropriately be provided in Braille, will prepare those individuals to provide those services in Braille.
(1) In general
(2) Authorized activities
(4) Selection of recipients
(5) Preparation in use of braille
Last modified on November 7, 2019