# Special Needs — Index

**Read this file first when any disability-specific question arises. Then load the relevant sub-file.**

```mermaid
graph TD
    A["Special Needs INDEX"] --> B["vision-impairment.md"]
    A --> C["hearing-impairment.md"]
    A --> D["motor-impairment.md"]
    B --> B1["Blind / Low Vision / CVI<br/>TVI, O&M, Braille, MSB"]
    C --> C1["Deaf / Hard of Hearing<br/>ASL, Interpreter, FM, MSD"]
    D --> D1["Physical Disability<br/>OT, PT, Wheelchair, AT"]
    A -.->|General SPED process| E["roles/specialists.md"]
    A -.->|Mental health| F["operations/health-wellness.md"]
    A -.->|Disability rights| G["compliance/equity-access.md"]
```

## Sub-File Router

| Sub-File | When to Read |
|----------|-------------|
| `special-needs/vision-impairment.md` | Blind, visually impaired, low vision, CVI, braille, TVI, O&M, MSB, MIRC, magnification, screen readers, ECC, tactile graphics |
| `special-needs/hearing-impairment.md` | Deaf, hard of hearing, ASL, cochlear implant, FM system, interpreter, captioning, MSD, TOD, audiology, CART, deaf culture, auditory processing |
| `special-needs/motor-impairment.md` | Physical disability, wheelchair, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, OT, PT, adaptive PE, fine motor, gross motor, AT for access, handwriting alternatives, accessibility, positioning |

## When to Use These Files vs. `roles/specialists.md`

| Question Type | Use |
|--------------|-----|
| "What is an IEP?" / "How does the evaluation process work?" / "What are the 13 IDEA categories?" | `roles/specialists.md` — general special education process |
| "What accommodations does a blind student need?" / "How do FM systems work?" / "What AT does a student with CP need?" | **This directory** — disability-specific depth |
| "How do I write IEP goals for a student who is deaf?" | **This directory** — each file includes an IEP goal bank |

## Cross-References
- `roles/specialists.md` → general IEP process, 504 plans, 13 IDEA categories, related services, ELL, gifted, dispute resolution
- `operations/health-wellness.md` → mental health, suicide prevention, chronic conditions (non-motor-specific)
- `operations/crisis-emergency.md` → emergency evacuation plans (PEEP for students with motor impairments)
- `compliance/equity-access.md` → disability rights (Section 504, ADA, IDEA procedural rights)
- `templates/specialist/plans-and-forms.md` → 504 plan template, FBA template
- `templates/specialist/iep-compliance-checklist.md` → IEP audit checklist

## Key Quick Facts

- **Missouri School for the Blind (MSB):** 3815 Magnolia Ave, St. Louis / msb.dese.mo.gov / 314-633-1592
- **Missouri School for the Deaf (MSD):** 505 E 5th St, Fulton / msd.dese.mo.gov / (573) 592-4000
- **RSMo 162.1120:** Braille instruction must be considered for ALL students with visual impairments
- **Blindness Skills Specialists:** Available at each RPDC (RSMo 162.1133)
- **FM system leasing:** Available through MSD Resource Center on Deafness: (573) 592-2543
- **Missouri Assistive Technology (MoAT):** at.mo.gov — device loan, demo, reutilization
- **MPACT (parent advocacy):** missouriparentsact.org — free for all Missouri families