Physical Disabilities

What is Physical Disability?

Types of Physical Disabilities:

• Muscular Dystrophy- the muscle fibres in the body gradually weaken over time
• Acquired Brain and Spinal Injuries- permanent injuries to the brain, spinal cord or limbs that prevent proper movement in parts of the body
• Spina Bifida- spinal cord does not develop normally within the womb

Types of Physical Disabilities Cont.

• Cerebral Palsy- damage to the parts of the brain which control movement during the early stages of development
• Hydrocephalus- high pressure on the brain because of fluid not being drained away as normal
• and more...

Just doing things a little differently :)

Causes of Physical Disabilities:

• Inherited or genetic disorders
• Congenital conditions present at birth
• Serious illness that affects the brain, nerves, and/or muscles
• Spinal Cord or Brain Injury

Things to know about the ADA

• ADA- Americans with Disabilities Act
• The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

ADA Cont:

• 5 main sections- Employment, State and Local Government, Public Accommodations, Telecommunications, and Misc Provisions
• Titles two and three (state and local government and public accommodations) are more specific to the education world.

In a school setting, when a student has a disability, it is the school's, and the teacher's, responsibility to make the appropriate accommodations for that student so that they can receive the same education as their peers.

In the US, about 74.6 million people have some type of physical disability.

Teaching Students with Physical Disabilities:

• YOU are the example to your students. Treat the student with the same respect and love as any other student while still holding them accountable for their work and behavior.
• Be aware that they may have an aide to assist them in their day to day activities and learning. This may require extra time for them to accomplish writing assignments, oral test, etc.

Teaching Cont:

• There may be "set backs" for students with physical disabilities, which may require them to have more time to fulfill class assignments. Consider using a tool, like skype or zoom, so that they can still participate in lessons from home.

Strategies I will use:

• Make the children aware that the student with a disability is just another student, with some differences. Explain to them those differences and the expected etiquette for interacting with them.
• Read the story about how Katie got her voice to the students

Strategies Cont:

• Expect the same from them as from other students. They are responsible for following the rules just like the other students and will face consequences if they break them.

It only takes one muscle to make a difference
-your HEART