About Multiple Disabilities and IEP Accommodations
Multiple Disabilities refers to the combination of two or more disabilities occurring together (such as intellectual disability with orthopedic impairment, or deafness with blindness), where the combination creates educational needs that cannot be addressed by programs designed for a single disability alone.
Accommodations for students with multiple disabilities are highly individualized and often require a team approach. The IEP team should include specialists for each area of need. Accommodations may span assistive technology, communication systems, physical accessibility, sensory supports, and modified curriculum, all tailored to work together.
Advocate for your child's inclusion to the maximum extent appropriate. Students with multiple disabilities have the same right to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as any student with a disability. With the right accommodations and supports, many students with multiple disabilities can participate in general education for at least part of their day.
Browse Accommodations by Category
Related IEP Guides
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IEP Services Explained: What Your Child Should Be Getting
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IEP Accommodations vs Modifications: What Parents Need to Know
Accommodations change how your child learns. Modifications change what — and can affect their diploma. Know the difference before your next IEP meeting.
IEP Goals: How to Tell If They're Actually Good (With Examples)
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All Multiple Disabilities Accommodations
33 accommodations for students with Multiple Disabilities, with plain-English explanations for parents.
Provide one-on-one test administration
A teacher or aide administers the test to your child alone, allowing for extra support and personalized pacing.
Testing & Assessment
Provide modified or alternate assignments when class demands conflict with ability
If a standard assignment is too difficult, your child works on a different assignment that targets the same skill at an appropriate level.
Assignment Presentation & Workload
Reduce class size or provide co-teaching in the classroom
Your child will have smaller group sizes or a second adult (co-teacher) in the classroom to provide more individualized attention and support.
Classroom Environment & Seating
Allow extended time for medication administration or medical procedures during the school day
Your child can take time during the school day to take medication, use medical equipment, or receive treatments without losing instructional time or facing penalties.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide nurse or trained staff support for tube feeding, catheter care, or stoma management
A school nurse or trained aide will administer tube feedings, catheter care, or stoma care during the school day so your child receives necessary medical support.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow use of prescribed medications (inhaler, EpiPen, etc.) during tests and activities
Your child can use prescribed emergency or maintenance medications (like an inhaler or EpiPen) during tests, recess, and field trips without restriction.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Ensure wheelchair accessibility, including accessible desks, pathways, and bathrooms
The school will ensure your child can navigate the classroom and school building safely, with accessible desks, ramps, elevators, and bathrooms.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide adjustable-height or adaptive furniture (standing desk, positioning chair, etc.)
Your child will have a desk, chair, or other furniture that can be adjusted to fit their physical positioning needs and help them work comfortably.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow frequent breaks for medical needs, bathroom use, or physical movement
Your child can take breaks as needed without penalty—to use the bathroom, see the nurse, take medication, stretch, or move around.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide 1:1 supervision during meals for students with aspiration, choking, or food allergy risks
A trained adult will sit with your child during lunch and snacks to watch for safety concerns like choking, aspiration, or accidental allergen exposure.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide verbal or visual cues for safe eating (chew, swallow, monitor portions)
The teacher or aide will give your child reminders to chew, swallow, or slow down during meals to help them eat safely.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Establish nut-free or allergen-free eating space or classroom
Your child will eat in a designated nut-free or allergen-free area to reduce exposure to foods that trigger severe allergic reactions.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide accessible adaptive toilet seat and private changing station for toileting needs
Your child will have access to an appropriate toilet seat, sturdy handrails, and a private, clean space for diaper changes or toileting support.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow access to nurse's office or medical station during the day without penalty
Your child can visit the nurse's office as needed for medication, medical equipment, rest, or support without missing important instruction or losing recess.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide modified or accessible seating for special events, assemblies, and field trips
Your child will have appropriate seating during school assemblies, field trips, and special events that accommodates their physical or medical needs.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide access to temperature-controlled spaces during outdoor activities
Your child can move to an air-conditioned or shaded area during recess or field trips if they have health conditions sensitive to heat, cold, or humidity.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow protective gear or adaptations for outdoor activities (sun-protective hat, lighter ball, etc.)
Your child can wear a hat for sun protection, use a lighter ball for sports, or access alternative playground equipment designed for their physical abilities.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide 1:1 aide on school transportation for medical support or safety
A trained aide will ride the school bus with your child to provide medical assistance, monitor for safety concerns, or help with mobility needs.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Create a plan to manage medication side effects (water bottle, extra bathroom breaks, etc.)
The school will provide supports to help manage side effects of your child's medications, such as allowing frequent bathroom breaks or water access.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide emergency response plan for medical crises (dislodged tube, allergic reaction, etc.)
The school nurse and staff will have a written emergency plan for how to respond quickly if your child has a medical emergency during the school day.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow upright seating or positioning before and after tube feeding to manage reflux
Your child will be seated upright after eating or tube feeding to help prevent reflux or vomiting.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide home or hospital instruction when student cannot attend school due to medical reasons
If your child is hospitalized or unable to attend school for medical reasons, the school will provide instruction at home or in the hospital.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow use of specific utensils, cups, straws, or adaptive eating equipment
Your child can use specially designed utensils, cups, or straws that help them eat and drink independently and safely.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide modified or lighter equipment for physical education and sports activities
Your child can use lighter, softer, or modified sports equipment during PE class and sports activities that match their physical abilities.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Ensure classroom workspace is organized for safe physical navigation and accessibility
The teacher will arrange desks, supplies, and pathways so your child can move safely and independently around the classroom.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide elevator key access for teachers and aides so student doesn't have to wait
Teachers and aides who work with your child will have elevator keys so your child isn't delayed getting to class or arriving on time.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow adapted or alternative writing utensils (pencil grips, weighted pens, etc.)
Your child can use special pencil grips, weighted pens, or other adapted writing tools to help them hold and control pencils or pens more easily.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Modify test format or location (seated at a table, extra space, separate room, etc.)
Your child can take tests at a specially set-up table, in a separate quiet room, or with extra space to accommodate their physical needs.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide environmental modifications (acoustics, temperature, ventilation, lighting)
The school will adjust the classroom environment (sound, temperature, air flow, or lighting) to support your child's medical, sensory, or health needs.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Allow food and drinks in classroom as medically necessary
Your child can keep water, snacks, or other food and drinks at their desk or carry them during the day if needed for medical reasons like diabetes or reflux.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Provide wheelchair-accessible testing stations and accessible desks for assessments
Your child will take tests and complete assignments at wheelchair-accessible tables and desks with appropriate spacing.
Health, Medical & Physical Accessibility
Deliver peer awareness or disability education to classmates
The teacher will explain your child's disability and needs to classmates in age-appropriate ways so peers understand and are more accepting and helpful.
Social Skills & Peer Support
Assign a 1:1 peer support or buddy with adult check-ins
Your child will be paired with a supportive peer, and an adult will regularly check in to make sure the partnership is working and helping both students.
Social Skills & Peer Support
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