Physical Impairment- By Rebecca Young

Physical Impairment

Definition:

Significant limitation, impairment, or delay in physical capacity to move, coordinate actions, or perform physical activities, exhibited by difficulties in one or more of the following areas: physical and motor tasks, independent movement, performing basic life functions. The term shall include severe orthopedic impairments or impairments caused by congenital anomaly, cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures if such impairment adversely affects a student's educational performance (page 7).

Characteristics:

• musculoskeletal conditions - involving the joints, limbs and associated muscles and/or
• neurological conditions - involving the central nervous system i.e. brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves which affect the ability to move or to coordinate the control movement.
• Physical access to classrooms is a major concern for students with mobility impairments. 
• The student must learn routes to and from classes that do not present barriers.(A barrier may be stairs, a curb, a narrow walkway, a heavy door, an elevator door, or a vehicle that may be blocking a ramp.) 

Assisting a Student with Physical Needs:

• Consider whether physical access to the classroom or time constraint between scheduled classes is a problem before or early in the session to discuss with the student and principal of the school
  
• Be prepared to arrange for a change of classroom or building if the class site is not accessible.
  
• Consideration of emergency evacuation planning should also be made. If in the event an elevator is not available, consider possible solutions during the Case Conference Committee meeting.
  
• Familiarize oneself with the evacuation plan and ensure its manageability for students with mobility impairments.
  

Education Plans:

• When seating a student with a physical impairment, every effort should be made to integrate them into the classroom. Assigning students to a doorway, a side aisle, or in the back of the room should be avoided. A wider aisle may need to be provided along with an adjustable table in lieu of a desk. Laboratory stations too high for wheelchair users to reach or lack sufficient under counter knee clearance may need to be modified or replaced with portable stations. Students with hand function limitations may have difficulty both in the laboratory, performing lab experiments, and in the classroom with writing assignments and written tests.
• Encourage the use of a note taker or tape recorder
  
• Allow in-class writing assignments to be completed out of class with the use of a scribe or another appropriate aid (i.e. resource room)
  
• Team the student with a laboratory partner or laboratory assistant in the classroom.
  

Accommodations for the student:

• Have a note taker in the classroom to help the student
  
• Tape recording for lectures
  
• Adjustable table
  
• Research assistant
  
• Access to classrooms, activities, and other resources within the confines of the school
  
• Testing accommodations that follow ISTEP rules
  
• Extended time on tests, exams
• Use of a computer
• Distraction reduced setting