This article explains the disabilities and qualifying conditions that may make a student eligible for the Florida Unique Abilities (UA) Scholarship. The following disabilities and conditions may qualify a student for the UA Scholarship.
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- Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
- Speech, Language, and Learning Disabilities
- Genetic and Neurological Conditions
- Sensory and Physical Disabilities
- Medical Conditions
- High-Risk Children
- Hospital or Homebound Students
Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Students with any of the following conditions may qualify:
✓ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
✓ Cerebral Palsy
✓ Down Syndrome
✓ Intellectual Disability
Intellectual Disability
An intellectual disability is defined as:
- Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning
- Deficits in adaptive behavior
- Manifestation before age 18
- Expected to continue indefinitely
Speech, Language, and Learning Disabilities
Students with any of the following may qualify:
✓ Speech Impairment
✓ Language Impairment
✓ Specific Learning Disability
Examples include:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental Aphasia
Students with the following may also qualify:
✓ Emotional Disability
✓ Behavioral Disability
✓ Other Health Impairment
✓ Orthopedic Impairment
Genetic and Neurological Conditions
Students with any of the following conditions may qualify:
✓ Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
✓ Prader-Willi Syndrome
✓ Williams Syndrome
✓ Muscular Dystrophy
✓ Spina Bifida
✓ Traumatic Brain Injury
✓ Rare Diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, as defined by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Sensory and Physical Disabilities
Students with any of the following may qualify:
✓ Hearing Impairment
✓ Deafness
✓ Visual Impairment
✓ Blindness
✓ Dual Sensory Impairment
Dual sensory impairment must be identified in accordance with State Board of Education rules and supported by documentation from a local school district.
Medical Conditions
Students with the following condition may qualify:
✓ Anaphylaxis
High-Risk Children
Children ages 3 through 5 may qualify as a high-risk child if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
✓ Developmental delay in cognition, language, or physical development
✓ Survival of a catastrophic infectious or traumatic illness associated with developmental delay
✓ Parent or guardian with developmental disabilities requiring assistance in meeting the child's developmental needs
✓ Physical or genetic anomaly associated with developmental disability
Hospital or Homebound Students
Students identified as hospital or homebound may qualify.
This includes students with a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition who:
✓ Are confined to the home or hospital
✓ Are expected to remain confined for more than six (6) months
✓ Meet State Board of Education requirements
Disability Documentation
To qualify for the UA Scholarship, families must also submit eligible disability documentation.
Acceptable documentation may include:
✓ An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
✓ A qualifying diagnosis from an approved licensed professional
For more information, see Florida Empowerment Scholarship: Documentation Guide.
Important Note
Eligibility is determined based on program requirements and supporting documentation. Having a listed condition does not guarantee eligibility if the required documentation is not provided.