Rev. 3/10/20
Chancellor’s Office For California Community College defines the following disabilities:
Acquired Brain Impairment: a verified deficit in brain functioning which results in a total or partial loss of
one or more of the following: cognitive, communicative, motor, psychosocial or sensory perceptual abilities.
Communication Disability: an impairment in the process of speech, language or hearing.
a) Hearing impairment means a total or partial loss of hearing function, which impedes the communication
process essential to language, educational, social and/or cultural interactions.
b) Speech and language impairment: one or more speech/language disorder of voice, articulation, rhythm
and/or the receptive and expressive processes of language.
Intellectual Disability:
a) Potential and measurable achievement in instructional or employment setting
Learning Disability: (Learning disabilities will be verified through evaluation process using the California
Community College eligibility criteria.) Learning disability is defined as a persistent condition of presumed
neurological dysfunction, which may exist with other disabling conditions. This dysfunction continues despite
instruction in standard classroom situations. To be categorized as learning disabled, a student must exhibit:
a) Average to above average intellectual ability
b) Severe processing deficit(s)
c) Severe aptitude achievement discrepancy(ies) and
d) Measured achievement in an instructional or employment setting
Other Disabilities: all other verifiable disabilities and health functional limitations that adversely affect
education performance but do not fall into any of the other disability categories. Other disabilities include
conditions having limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health problems. Examples are
environmental disabilities, speech disorders, heart conditions, tuberculosis, nephritis, sickle cell anemia,
hemophilia, leukemia, epilepsy, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and diabetes.
Physical Disability: a visual, mobility, or orthopedic impairment
a) Visual impairment means total or partial loss of sight.
b) Mobility and orthopedic impairment means a serious limitation in locomotion or motor functions, which
indicate a need for special services or special classes.
Mental Health Disability: for purposes of service delivery in the educational setting, means a condition which:
a) Is listed in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and is coded on
axis I or II as moderate to severe, and
b) Reflects a psychiatric or psychological condition that interferes with major life activity, and
c) Poses a Functional Limitation in the educational setting.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is defined as a
neurodevelopmental disorder that is a persistent deficit in attention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior
that limits the student’s ability to access the educational process.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autism Spectrum disorders are defined as neurodevelopmental disorders
described as persistent deficits which limit the student’s ability to access the educational process. Symptoms
must have been present in the early developmental period, and cause limitations in social, academic,
occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.