Skip to Content
Main content

GLOSSARY OF TERMS - HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES DATA

(Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder): A brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

The office or person that has been designated by the institution to determine eligibility for services and ensure equitable access for students with disabilities, as required by federal law.

Students who are recovering from drug or alcohol or substance abuse or who are in treatment programs.

A wide-ranging group of developmental disorders (including Asperger?s Syndrome) that may include:

  • Ongoing social problems, often including difficulty communicating and interacting with others
  • Repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities
  • Symptoms that hurt the individual?s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life

A medical condition resulting in limited strength, vitality or alertness due to chronic or acute health problems. This would not include those with temporary disabilities.

Visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better or stronger eye with the best correction; totally blind; or a person with 20 degrees or less field of vision (pinhole vision).

Communication disorders including apraxia of speech, articulation disorder, phonemic disorder, stuttering, voice disorder.

A medical condition that significantly affects multiple systems of the body. This would not include those with temporary disabilities.

Not able to discern spoken communication by sound alone; a hearing loss that prevents one from totally receiving sounds through the ear, whether permanent or fluctuating.

Partial hearing loss?may be conductive, sensorineural, or both.

Existing between two or more systems.

Includes central auditory processing disorder, disorder of written expression, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyslexia, learning disorder NOS, mathematics disorder, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, nonverbal learning disorder (if student has not been diagnosed on the autism spectrum), processing speed disorder, reading disorder, visual processing disorder.

Visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in the better eye with best correction; a total field loss of 140 degrees or more in the field of vision; difficulty in reading regular newsprint even with vision corrected by glasses or contact lenses; loss of vision in one eye.

Generally, disorders characterized by dysregulation of mood, thought, and/or behavior. These include anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders and psychotic disorders.

A student who, typically, must use a standard manual or electric wheelchair or other assistive devices (walker, crutches, braces, prosthesis, etc.) to move from place to place. Students must be counted in another category, such as orthopedic or basic or complex chronic medical conditions. This would not include those with temporary disabilities. Do not include numbers from this category in the Multiple Disabilities count.

Developmental coordination disorder, stereotypical movement disorders, tic disorders, tremors.

A student with two or more disabilities, to be counted once here. Students reported in this category should be reported in every other category and/or sub-category in which they fit. For example, students with both ADHD and a Learning Disability should be listed under both categories and counted once in Multiple Disabilities. Do not include numbers from Mobility in the Multiple Disabilities count.

Pertaining to the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system, potentially affecting emotion, learning ability, self-control and memory.

An instructional program below the bachelor's degree level designed to prepare individuals with entry-level skills and training required for employment in a specific trade, occupation, or profession related to the field of study.

A physical disability caused by congenital anomaly, by diseases of the bones and muscles, connective tissue disorders, or from other causes. This would not include those with temporary disabilities.

Students seeking degrees or credit-bearing certificates or diplomas in areas other than those identified as "occupationally specific," as well as students taking credit-bearing courses but not formally enrolled in any program.

Loss or limitation to a physical function.

A difficulty or inability to read printed material due to a perceptual, physical or visual disability.

A disability affecting one or more of the senses.

A transitory impairment with an actual or expected duration of six months or less. Examples include bone fractures, sprains, torn ligaments, post-surgical recoveries, significant illness, etc. Do not include Temporary Disabilities in any other category.

An injury caused by an external physical force (concussion) or from certain medical conditions (aneurysm, anoxia brain tumors, encephalitis, stroke) with resulting mild, moderate or severe disabilities in one or more areas (abstract thinking, attention, cognition, information processing, judgment, language, memory, motor abilities, perceptual, physical functions, problem solving, psychosocial behavior, reasoning, sensory, speech). The term does not include injuries that are congenital, or birth related. This would not include those with temporary disabilities.


Top