Understanding IDEA Eligibility Categories

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students may qualify for special education services in one of thirteen eligibility categories. Understanding these disabilities, eligibility standards, and effective support strategies helps educators create inclusive learning environments where all students can succeed. This section offers characteristics, eligibility criteria, resources, videos, and classroom supports for each disability category.

“Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.”
— George Evans

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) affects a student’s ability to read, write, spell, listen, speak, or solve mathematical problems. These difficulties are caused by differences in how the brain processes information.

Descriptors / Characteristics

  • Difficulty with decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension
  • Challenges in written expression (spelling, organization)
  • Math calculation or problem-solving difficulties
  • Average or above-average intelligence with unexpected academic gaps

Eligibility Determiners

  • Documented processing deficits (e.g., phonological processing, working memory)
  • Achievement significantly below expectations
  • Disability must adversely affect educational performance

Resources

Visual Impairment Including Blindness (VI)

Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)

Speech or Language Impairment (SLI) affects a student’s ability to communicate effectively through speech or language.It includes communication disorders such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or voice impairment. Understood.

Descriptors / Characteristics

  • Difficulty producing sounds
  • Limited vocabulary or grammar
  • Stuttering or voice quality issues

Eligibility Determiners

  • Speech‑language evaluation
  • Communication disorder impacts classroom performance

Resources

Other Health Impairment (OHI)

Intellectual Disability (ID)

Multiple Disabilities (MD)

Hearing Impairment (HI)

Emotional Impairment (EI)

Deafness

Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Deaf-Blindness

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)