OBJECTIVE OF THE MEASURE
To promote the educational and social inclusion of pupils/children with sensory disabilities, enhancing their communication and learning capabilities.
To address the difficulties in communication and participation in various activities that pupils/children may encounter in achieving academic and educational outcomes due to visual and auditory limitations.
To provide support to complete, integrate, and develop the path of growth and autonomy in the learning process, educational inclusion, and socialisation.

ELIGIBILITY
The following are eligible for educational/school inclusion services: 

• EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY: Pupils with sensory disabilities attending Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4/Further Education, residing in the Lombardy Region or residing outside the Region but with specific family circumstances, meeting the requirements specified in the current regional regulations for the relevant academic/educational year.

The following individuals are classified as sensory disabled:

• persons afflicted with total blindness (Article 2, Law 138/2001);
• persons afflicted with partial blindness (Article 3, Law 138/2001);
• persons with severe visual impairment (Article 4, Law 138/2001);
• persons with moderate to severe visual impairment (Article 5, Law 138/2001);
• persons afflicted with total or partial blindness or severe visual impairment, with multiple disabilities;
• persons afflicted with congenital or acquired deafness during developmental age that has compromised the normal acquisition of spoken language, provided that the deafness is not exclusively of a psychological nature or dependent on causes related to war, work, or service (Ref. Law May 1970, n. 381 art.1);
• persons afflicted with hearing impairment with a hearing loss greater than 60 dB in both ears, even when corrected by hearing aids (Decree of the Ministry of Health - 5 February 1992).

• NURSERY PROVISION: Children with sensory disabilities attending public and private nurseries, micro-nurseries, and reception classes in early years settings, residing in the Lombardy Region or residing outside the Region but with specific family situations, in possession of the requirements indicated in the current regional regulations for the relevant academic/educational year.

The required criterion for accessing the service is the bilateral nature of the sensory impairment, for which neither the definition of the hearing threshold in decibels nor the definition of visual acuity in tenths is necessary.
Regarding the visual aspect, it is specified that the assessment must reveal a condition of visual impairment that cannot be improved with optical correction or therapy. This refers to a stable or progressive medical condition and therefore merits inclusion in the programme. A medical certification is required, where possible, also drawn up by a multidisciplinary team and issued by centres specialising in childhood sensory disabilities, attesting to the presence of the sensory condition.
Neither the minutes of the Disabled Pupil Assessment Board nor the functional diagnosis or functioning profile are required.

TYPE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ASSISTANCE
Delivery of specialist interventions in the educational setting through qualified personnel provided by service providers deemed suitable by the Lombardy Region's Health Protection Agencies (ATS). The family can choose the service provider from a designated list. The service is delivered:

• for hearing impairment by a Communication Support Assistant with adequate experience and/or training to provide support to the pupil in various educational activities, and by an Educational Specialist for Early Years Settings;
• for visual impairment by a Communication Support Assistant and a Vision Specialist and/or Assistive Technology Specialist who provides vision support consultation.

The specialist intervention is active for the entire academic year.

MODE OF ACCESS
To avail of the services for educational inclusion, the family members of pupils with sensory disabilities (or guardian/support administrator of the eligible individual) or the student themselves if of legal age, must submit an application and attach the necessary documentation exclusively through the Lombardy Region's online platform at www.bandi.regione.lombardia.it within the deadlines specified by the relevant Regional Decrees, valid for the current academic year.
Applications can be submitted after registration/authentication on Bandi online through SPID, CNS (National Service Card) or EIC (Electronic Identity Card).

INFORMATION & CONTACT
For further information, please consult the Notice for the Academic Year 2024/2025.