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Disability awareness > Module 5 > Page 6

 

Creating an accessible curriculum

Including students with physical disabilities

A wide range of physical conditions may limit mobility and/or hand function. Some of these conditions may also impair strength, speed, endurance, co-ordination and dexterity.Physical access is a major concern for students with a physical disability and some will have difficulty in getting to and from class and managing out of class assignments and tests.

Those who use wheelchairs, braces, crutches, prostheses or canes, or those who fatigue easily, find moving about difficult, especially with the time constraints imposed by classroom timetables. Occasional lateness may be unavoidable. Lateness or absence may be caused by transportation problems or wheelchair breakdown. Getting out of the classroom or lecture theatre quickly may be a problem, particularly in the case of an emergency.

• access issues should be discussed with the student and if necessary with the Disability Officer before entry or as early in the term as possible.
• be prepared for a change of classroom or building if no other solution is possible.
• familiarise yourself with the building's emergency evacuation plan and ensure that it is manageable for students with physical disabilities.

In class / lectures

Some courses and lecture rooms present obstacles, which make it difficult for students with physical disabilities to fully participate. When seating these students, every effort should be made to integrate them in the class. Chairs can be unbolted from fixed seating to make room for a wheelchair. Laboratory stations which are too high or which have insufficient room for knee clearance can be modified or replaced with portable stations.

Students with hand-function impairments may find it difficult to use the library for reading or research. Arrangements for assistance need to be made with library staff for access to card indexes, bookshelves, microfiche and other equipment. Assistance may also be needed with the manipulation of documents and page turning. Students with hand-function impairments may also experience difficulties with note taking. 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 written assignments to be completed out of class

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