The law on the Expertise Centres states that pupils are eligible for special education if they meet certain criteria. These are largely based on existing practice.
Criteria for the visually impaired are a visual acuity: < 0,3 or a visual field: < 30° and limited participation in education as a result of the visual impairment. For hearing impaired pupils a hearing loss > 80 dB (or for hard of hearing pupils 35-80 dB) and limited participation in education are required. The decision to provide extra funding for mentally impaired pupils will be largely based on IQ (< 60), for physically impaired and chronically ill pupils medical data showing diagnosed disabilities / illness are needed. The criteria for behaviourally disturbed pupils require a diagnosis in terms of the categories of the DSM-IV, problems at school, at home and/or in the community and a limited participation in education as a result of the behaviour problems. See the website for more information: www.lcti.nl