Teaching Students with Limited Mobility

Cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury are just some of the mobility impairments that affect students with special needs, and each much address his or her impaired mobility in a different way. Independent Living Technologies has compiled a list of suggestions for teachers who find themselves working with students who have limited mobility issues.

Limited Upper Body Mobility
Students who have limitations affecting upper body mobility may need several considerations in a classroom environment including extended test and exam times, and assistance in taking notes, ie. audiotape recorders or assistance from other students. Teachers may need to provide students with separate exam rooms where they may record their answers verbally into a tape recorder or dictate their answers to another person (an amanuenses or scribe) who can record them on paper.

Additionally, students with upper body mobility issues may not be physically able to raise their hand when participating in classroom lecture or discussion. Always remember to regularly establish eye contact with a student in this position and call on them when they indicate that they would like to participate.

In general - students with mobility impairments will need additional time to perform certain tasks - including getting to class. Some students will be faced with challenges navigating the terrain and architecture of campus and for this and other reasons beyond the their control, will require extra time in getting to class.

Students in Wheelchairs
The most important thing to remember when interacting with a student in a wheelchair is that the chair itself qualifies as "personal space". You should not touch, push or lean on the chair just as you wouldn't touch push or lean on any other student. It is also important when speaking with the student that you sit so that you can maintain eye contact without forcing the student to peer up at you.

The best practice is always to sit with your student or his/her parents to discuss any specific difficulties they have due to their disability. This way any arrangements necessary to accommodate the student can be made well beforehand, and a plan put in place that will insure the student has an excellent learning environment.