interacting one-on-one with a student with a physical disability

English community Health Themes Physical Disabilities
1

The following are some practical tips for teaching students with physical disabilities.

  • Remove obstacles and arrange furniture to ensure clear passage to where you will sit and conduct any meeting.
  • Consider an assistive device as an extension of the person’s personal space.
  • Remember that most power wheelchairs are controlled by a hand-held device and should be left for the individual to control.
  • If a conversation is expected to last longer than a few moments, suggest an area nearby that is comfortable for all parties to be seated.
  • Speak directly to the person, not to an accompanying support person.
  • If you are not sure what to do, ask, “Can I help?”


2

This are really good points. Other points can be:

If the person is on crutches, they should be given seats next to the aisle section for ease of movement off and on the seat. If they're travelling in a bus, they need to be seated by the window so that they don't have to be disturbed as the other passenger wants to move out of their seat.

If the person is on crutches, signs like slippery floor are very important. Crutches tips are made of rubber which slides, and such signs avoid accidents like sliding for when someone in crutches slides it might add up on another injury.

The teacher should be willing to go to where the student is. At times maneuvering our way up and down the class can be hectic, hence if the teacher moves to them it's better. This is in the case where the teacher feels they need a one on one with each student as teachers would when they'd say "everyone to bring their books to the staffroom for marking."

3

Very relevant information @verogakio and @MikkiTarz. May I also add that when talking to a person who is on a wheelchair, try to maintain eye level contact, so that they don't strain looking up for long or making it look like the person talking to them is looking down on them.