Physical Disabilities

• special education

Physical Disabilities

“any degree of disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement of a physical nature caused by bodily injury, illness or birth defect” (Leger, 2008)

What comes to mind when you think of a physical disability?

Conditions Included in a Physical Disability

• amputation
• epilepsy
• lack of coordination
• blindness
• deafness
• speech defects
• reliance on physical equipment
• cerebral palsy
• arthritis

Common Characteristics

• loss of mobility
• lack of motor skills
• problems manipulating materials
• perceptual difficulties- supports UDL to ensure that students are perceiving and expressing information in a way that fits their specific needs
• communication
• fatigue

SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY!

What do you think are some ways that you could make the physical environment safer and more accessible for your students with physical disabilities?

Do you think a student's cognitive capacity is affected due to having a physical disability?

yes

no

Pre-birth causes:

• hereditary conditions from defects in a parent’s genes
• genetic and chromosomal defects
  
• teratogens that produce fetal abnormalities
  
• prematurity and pregnancy complications

After-birth causes:

• abuse
  
• trauma
  
• infections or diseases
  
• environmental toxins

Developing Appropriate Programming

• computer access & computer accommodations
• recording lectures for future reference
• consideration of size, portability, and durability of AT devices
• reduce stigma of the AT

Assistive Technologies

• text-to-speech softwares or communication devices (ex: TouchChat)
• wheelchairs
• walking stick
• grips to manipulate materials
• ProxPad

files.eric.ed.gov

Best Practices

• training in how to use AT before teaching content
• teachers should get on students' levels
• flexibility- coming to class; taking exams
• intentional grouping
• opportunities to be involved in extracurriculars
• presume competence