BRCC Disability Services Handbook: Physical Disability

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Blue Ridge Community College Disability Services: Faculty Handbook, College Drive - Flat Rock, N.C. 28731-9624 - www.blueridge.edu

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Students with Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities involve the partial or total loss of function of a body part, usually a limb or limbs. This may result in muscle weakness, poor stamina, lack of muscle control, or total paralysis. In the College environment, some physical disabilities necessitate adaptations to allow students to function successfully in class.

Many students with physical disabilities use wheelchairs for mobility; others can walk with the aid of canes, braces, crutches, or walkers. Using these devices allows the person to move about more quickly and conserve energy.

The need for adaptation varies among students with physical disabilities. Therefore, the student should be consulted regarding the areas and extent of adaptation needed. There are, however, some general considerations that apply to most students with physical disabilities.

Typical accommodations for a student with a physical disability may include:

Relocation of the class to a more accessible location.
Provision of classroom space for a wheelchair or a wheelchair accessible desk/table.
Advanced notice if the class activity will be held elsewhere.
Reduction of the writing load thorough the use of handouts, supplementary texts, etc.
Use of a note-taker or tape recorder.
Reasonable consideration for lateness due to difficulties in the location of classroom or schedule.
Extended time for testing.
Use of a computer for written work.
Use of a scribe for testing.
Oral or taped test responses.
Provision of instructor's notes when appropriate and copies of overheads when possible to reduce the need for writing.

Testing Accommodations

Some students who have physical disabilities are either 1) unable to write, 2) fatigue quickly while writing, or 3) write more slowly than other students. Any of these situations necessitates a change in the usual test procedures.

Students who are unable to write will request help recording answers. Since this procedure is time consuming, additional time should be granted for tests. Providing a scribe, using voice recognition software, or arranging for the student to tape record test questions can be done through the Disability Services Office.

Students who use Wheelchairs

It is difficult to make generalizations about the classroom needs of students who use wheelchairs due to the variety of conditions. There are, however, some general considerations that apply to most persons who use wheelchairs.

If breaks between classes are short (10 minutes or less), the student who uses a wheelchair may frequently be a few minutes late. Students often have to wait for an elevator, maneuver through crowded corridors or take a circuitous route to class. If the student is frequently late, and it disrupts class, the instructor should discuss the situation with the student to seek a solution.
Classes in laboratories may require some modification of the workstation. Considerations may include under counter height, horizontal reach and aisle widths.
If the class involves fieldwork or field trips, the student who uses a wheelchair should be asked to participate in the selection of sites and modes of transportation. If the College provides transportation for field trips, an accessible mode of transportation must be provided for the student with a disability.
Students are not "confined" to a wheelchair. They often transfer to cars and furniture. Some students who use wheelchairs can walk with the aid of canes, crutches, or walkers. For many, the wheelchair serves as a means to conserve energy or move about quickly. Most students who use wheelchairs will ask for help if they need it. Don't assume automatically that assistance is needed. Offer assistance if you wish, but do not insist.
When talking to a student using a wheelchair, if the conversation continues for more than a few minutes, sit down, kneel or move the conversation to a location where you are at eye level with the student.
A wheelchair is part of the person's body space. Do not hang or lean on the chair - it is similar to hanging or leaning on a person. It is okay if you are close friends, but inappropriate otherwise.
Students in wheelchairs can participate in outdoor activities. Classmates are usually more than willing to give assistance. Most students who use wheelchairs do not get enough physical exercise in daily activity, and it is particularly important that they be encouraged, as well as provided the opportunity, to participate.

Possible accommodations by area of disability for students who have a physical disability:

Area of disability	Available accommodations
Fatigue, limited physical exertion.	Flexible equipment for the correct positioning of monitors, keyboards, and table tops. Reversed polarity (white letters; black screen).
Slow typing speed.	Word completion or word prediction programs. Abbreviation expansion programs.
Inability to use multiple keystroke commands. Strike keys by mistake due to tremors. Better gross motor than fine motor dexterity.	Modification of keyboard control systems. Keyguard for computer, calculator. Navigation of web without a mouse.
Inability to use hands for input.	Computer with large hard drive and large capacity memory banks. Alternate input devices such as voice recognition program, scanner, headpointer, or mouth-operated joystick. Page turning device.
Limited hand use for input. Inability to use the mouse.	Alternate input devices such as mini keyboard, track pad, touch window, split keyboard, Morse code input, track ball. Web navigation without mouse.
Fine motor control but limited gross movement.	Arm, wrist supports; keyguards; mini keyboard.
Limited muscle strength, coordination, range of motion, stability.	Arm, wrist supports Keyguards.

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