Teaching Students with Disabilities
Mobility & Physical Disabilities
Mobility impairments range in severity from limitations of stamina to paralysis. Some mobility impairments are caused by conditions present at birth ("congenital") while others are the result of illness or physical injury ("acquired").
Injuries to the spinal cord cause different types of mobility impairments depending on the areas of the spine that are injured. Paraplegia refers to the loss of function to the lower extremities and the lower trunk. Students with paraplegia typically use a manual wheelchair and have the full movement of arms and hands. Quadriplegia refers to the loss of function to arms, legs, and trunk. Students with quadriplegia have limited to no use of their arms and hands and often use motorized wheelchairs. Hemiplegia is another type of functional loss where the limbs of one side of the body are affected; students may use a wheelchair or a walking aid.
Mobility impairments vary often over a wide range, from temporary (e.g. a broken arm) to permanent (e.g. a form of paralysis or muscle degeneration). Other impairments, such as respiratory conditions, may affect coordination and endurance. These can also affect a students ability to participate/perform in class.
Below are brief descriptions of other causes of mobility impairments
- Amputation
- Arthritis
- Back Disorder (degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and herniated discs).
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist and arm limitations from repetitive strain/injury).
- Cerebral Palsy (damage to the brain prior to or shortly after birth that may prevent or inhibit walking, and cause a lack of muscle coordination, spasms, and speech difficulty).
- Fibromyalgia (muscular rheumatism causing constant pain in muscles and ligaments).
- Morbid Obesity (medically verified)
- Neuromuscular disorders (including degenerative conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and ataxia.
Many students with mobility impairments lead lives similar to those without impairments. Dependency and helplessness are not typical characteristics of physical disability, although (as with other types of disabilities) "learned helplessness" can sometimes occur. People adjust to disabilities in myriad ways; however, character traits (e.g. "courageous" or "manipulative") should not be assumed on the basis of disability.