Classroom Strategies for Students With Physical Disabilities

Having classroom strategies for student with physical disabilities can make your job a little bit easier if you are teaching these students. Since students with disabilities are limited on what they can do in the classroom, they need a classroom that is modified and accommodated to fit their needs. You can assist students with physical disabilities have success in your classroom by utilizing these classroom strategies.

The Classroom Environment

Your classroom environment can be changed to effectively assist students with physical disabilities. Allow students to sit near the front of the classroom if they have visual disability. This will better enable to see the board or other visual displays in the classroom.  If you have students who require a wheelchair or crutches, provide a comfortable sitting space, like a special desk where the student can easily maneuver around and to sit comfortably in. Also, make sure to provide enough space in the classroom for theses students to easily get around the classroom. For students that are hearing impaired, who are not necessarily deaf, consider using a microphone to amplify the sound for that student in the classroom.

Classroom Aides

Often physically disabled students have an adult who travels with them and helps them throughout the day. For example a student that is hearing impaired may have a sign language interpreter with them in class to help them communicate. Be sure to make room for this interpreter near the area in the room where you stand the most. This will allow for the interpreter to always be able to here you so they can translate your words.  Be sure to provide a visual path where the student and interpreter can clearly see each other at all times.

Scheduling

Students with a physical disability sometimes need to leave their classes a few minuets early, with permission form the school, to navigate through the hallways before it gets crowded. This provides enough time and safely for the student with the disability to get to the next class early. If this is the case for any of your students, try not to schedule anything imperative at the last few minutes of your class, so that this student does not miss anything important.