Multiple Disabilities - Definition

People with severe disabilities are those who traditionally have been labelled as having severe to profound mental retardation. These people require ongoing, extensive support in more than one major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and enjoy the quality of life available to people with fewer or no disabilities. They frequently have additional disabilities, including movement difficulties, sensory losses, and behavior problems.


Incidence

In the 1998-99 school year, the states reported to the U.S. Department of Education that they were providing services to 107,591 students with multiple disabilities (Twenty-Second Annual Report to Congress, 2000).

Adapted from information published by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities