Multiple+Disabilities

People with severe disabilities are those who traditionally have been labelled as having severe to profound mental retardation.

These people require ongoing, extensive support in more than one major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and enjoy the quality of life available to people with fewer or no disabilities. They frequently have additional disabilities, including movement difficulties, sensory losses, and behavior problems. Characteristics ** People with severe or multiple disabilities may exhibit a wide range of characteristics, depending on the combination and severity of disabilities, and the person’s age. There are, however, some traits they may share, including: Limited speech or communication; Difficulty in basic physical mobility; Tendency to forget skills through disuse; Trouble generalizing skills from one situation to another; and/or A need for support in major life activities (e.g., domestic, leisure, community use, vocational).
 * 

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs10txt.htm This site gives an idea of what multiple disabilites are, and what to expect when dealing with them.

[|Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center - Gallaudet University] Information related to deaf children with additional disabilities, also has links to other sites.