Supporting Students with Physical Impairments

Teaching Strategies

Among the most common permanent disorders are partial or total paralysis, amputation or severe injury, arthritis, active sickle cell disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Additionally respiratory and cardiac diseases may affect mobility. These conditions may also impair the strength, speed, endurance, coordination and dexterity that are necessary for proper hand function. While the degree of disability varies, students may have difficulty getting to or from lectures, participating in lectures and managing assignments and tests.

Getting to and from lectures.Occasional lateness may be unavoidable. Tardiness or absence may be due to transport problems, inclement weather or lift or wheelchair breakdown. Getting from lectures may pose similar problems, especially in cases of emergency. The following points are worth bearing in mind.

• Considering the accessibility issues before the course and discussing it with the student and appropriate college authorities.
• Being prepared to change lecture venue if not other solution is possible.
• Familiarisation with the building's emergency evacuation plan and ensuring that it is manageable for students who are physically disabled.

In lectures

Some courses and lecture rooms present obstacles to the full participation of students who are physically disabled. In seating such students, ensure adequate, appropriate space is available e.g. not in a doorway, a side aisle or back of the room. Laboratory benches too high for wheelchair users may be modified or they may be replaced with portable benches. Otherwise, the assistance of an aide to follow the student’s lab instructions may be necessary. Students with hand-function limitations may have difficulties with in-laboratory writing (as in lectures). The following strategies may help:

• Allowing the use of a note taker or tape recorder.
• Teaming the student with a laboratory partner or assistant
• Allowing in laboratory written assignments to be completed with the assistance of a scribe or out of the session if necessary.

Assignments.

The use of the library for reading or research assignments may present obstacles. Arrangements for assistance with library personnel may have to be made for access to card catalogues, book shelves, and microfiche and other equipment, or for manipulating the pages of publications. Because the completion of required work may thus be delayed, the extension of deadlines may be appropriate.