What is a Physical Impairment?

Physical impairments, or better known as physical disabilities, are disabilities that can affect a
person’s ability to move, see, hear, write, talk, or communicate either temporarily or for life.
Because there are so many different types of physical impairments, it is very difficult to have one
type of accommodations or treatment available for individuals. Some of the most common types
of physical impairments include:
 Brain injury
 Blindness
 Deaf-Mute
 Multiple Sclerosis
 Epilepsy
 Physical deficit
 Limb loss
 Dwarfism
What Causes Physical Impairments?
Physical impairments can be caused by a wide variety of things. Depending on the disorder type,
causes can include but are not limited to:
 Genetics/Hereditary
 Environmental factors
 Serious illness
 Serious injury
 Immune diseases
 Traumatic brain injury

How many people have Physical Impairments?

Because there are many types of physical impairments, it is hard to track down exactly how
many people have them. Some people have physical impairments which are temporary, including
a broken leg or arm, or a concussion.
On average, nearly 7 million people break bones or have fractures, making many individuals
temporarily physically impaired.
On the other hand, nearly 19% of the United States population has some type of physical
disability, whether it be lifelong, life-threatening, or temporary.

Are Physical Impairments common?

As stated before, 19% of the United States population has some type of physical disability,
making it very common. Temporary impairments such as broken bones or fractures are much
more common than life-threatening impairments, but the two are both widely discussed and well-
known.

Are Physical Impairments treatable?

Depending on the severity of physical impairment, they can be treatable. Temporary impairments
including broken bones or fractures can be healed over time with the help of a medical
profession. Lifelong impairments, however, like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis cannot be cured,
but can be treated and helped to be less painful with therapy and medication.

How can Physical Impairments impact the general education setting?

Physical impairments can negatively impact the general education setting. While it is no fault of
the individual who has the disability, it can be hard for the surrounding students, teachers, and
the student with the disability themselves in the general education setting.
 Students with the Physical Impairment
o Students with physical impairments can face many challenges in the general
education setting. While dealing with their disability can be tricky, going to
school and focusing on work can add more stress. Depending on the type of
disability, as well, students can face bullying which can add more stress and
complications to their school life. It can also be hard for students with disabilities
such as blindness, deafness, or amputated legs to move around and communicate
with others. This can cause the students to feel isolated and alone, even when
accommodations are being included.
 Other Students
o Other students can sometimes feel that their needs are not being met in the
classroom when there are disabled students in the room. In some cases, teachers
spend a lot more time with students with disabilities than they do other students,
making the students education hindered. If teachers are continuously working
with and accommodating for one student, others can be easily overlooked. While
it is not done on purpose, it can hinder a student’s academic achievements and
educational goals.
 Teachers
o If a teacher has to constantly make accommodations for students, they can face
burnout. It can be hard for a teacher to have to always change plans and be
available at all times for one particular student, when classrooms usually have up
to 30 students who need and deserve help, as well. While it is at no fault of the
student, teachers can experience stress. It is very helpful for extra aid or
paraprofessionals to be in rooms where there is a severely disabled student, in
order to help the teacher, other students, and the student with the disability.

Evidence Based Interventions

There are a great deal of science and evidence-based interventions that help with students who
struggle with some type of physical impairment. The following 5 interventions are just a few of
the many evidence-based interventions that help those with different types of physical
impairments.

* Classroom Management
What is it?
Classroom Management is a process and plan used by educators to make sure that their
classroom runs smoothly. Teachers use these plans to help with their lessons and student
behavior.

What is the cost?

If teachers want certain materials to use in their classrooms, it could cost money from
their own funds. However, plans for the most part do not cost any additional classroom funds.

Is it timely?
Creating a classroom management plan can take quite a bit of time for a teacher. The
teacher has to first get to know there students and understand their disabilities, which can take a
long period of time, depending on when or how the student behaves in their classroom.
Deciding which rules should be used within a classroom can require a lot of planning
ahead. Typically, teachers try to incorporate some of their students’ ideas and views for the
classroom rules, which can take weeks to accomplish.

Can it be done in the classroom?

Classroom management plans are used for the classroom to control positive and desirable
behavior.

Additional References
 https://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-physical-disabilities/44472-
arranging-classroom-supplies-for-students-with-physical-disabilities/

* Early Intervention Programs

What is it?
Early Intervention Programs are used to help visually impaired children to understand
how to live and survive in the world with their impairment. This program helps not only the
impaired, but the parents to understand ways to better help their child to communicate and to
function with their disability.
 This program helps children to understand their surroundings by the help of family
members, friends, and teachers. The goal of this program is for children to learn how to live with
their disability, and to help them understand how to become independent.

What is the cost?

The cost for early intervention programs can vary. While some can be free, others can
cost up to hundreds of dollars, depending on who is carrying out the program.

Is it timely?
The time for programs varies. Some programs can last a whole day, while others can be
done weekly for hours at a time. Depending on the severity of an individual’s visual impairment,
different time is needed.

Can it be done in the classroom?

Early intervention programs are not generally done in the classroom. However, some
programs can be done at schools if there are resources available.

Additional References
 https://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/early-intervention.html

* Medication
What is it?
Medications are forms of prescription drugs that can be used to help individuals with
disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other neurological and brain conditions.

What is the cost?

While some medications can cost as little as $20, some can cost upmost to over $1000.
Many individuals can get help paying for their medications, however, with insurance.
 Is it timely?
There are many routine checkups that need to be made if your child gets put on a
medication. It is important that your doctor monitors them and sees how they are doing on a
weekly or monthly basis to see how the medications are effecting them.
In many cases, individuals will have to switch between different medications to find their
right fit, which can take years.

Can it be done in the classroom?

While prescription drugs cannot be handed out or taken directly in the classroom, many
school offices are able to hold onto students’ prescriptions and can have them come to the office
when it is time to take them.

Additional References
 https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-
medication-list
 http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications

* Parental Training
What is it?
Parental Training helps to educate parents on the different physical impairments that their
child could have and how it could affect both their child at home and at school. Parents meet up
with educators, therapists, and sometimes doctors to find ways and different strategies that would
help their child and their educational growth.

What is the cost?

If trainings are done at the child’s school, they are usually free. However, if you choose
to meet with a doctor or therapist, meetings can cost hundreds of dollars.

Is it timely?
Many teachers require parents to meet with them on a weekly basis to track student
progress. Some therapists, too, want to meet on a weekly or monthly basis. Meetings can usually
last as long as an hour.

Can it be done in the classroom?

Meetings with teachers and parents can be done in the classroom, either before or after
normal school hours.
 Additional References
 https://www.pacer.org/about/howpacerhelps.asp
 http://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/practice-
settings/intervention/parent-support.aspx

* Physical Therapy
What is it?
According to medicine.net, Physical Therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses
specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical
abilities.

What is the cost?

The cost of physical therapy can vary between different people. With insurance, physical
therapy can be free or as low as only paying a copay. For those without insurance, or insurance
that does not include physical therapy, the cost can be up to $350 per session.

Is it timely?
The length of appointments to meet with physical therapists varies. While some
appointments can be as quick as 20 minutes, other sessions can last up to 2 hours.

Can it be done in the classroom?

Physical therapy is not done in the classroom. However, teachers can allow students to
stretch when necessary or do other small movements if required by a therapist.

Additional References
 https://www.firstquotehealth.com/health-insurance-news/physical-therapy-cost
Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
 I Hear Ewe
o Educational App
 This app allows children who are visually impaired to hear sounds that
certain objects and things make. The app tells children what certain things
are, what they look like, and how they sound. For example, when talking
about animals, the app would tell the child that a sheep is white and fluffy
and makes a “bah” sound.
 VL2 Storybook Apps – The Baobab
o Educational App
 This app tells the story of a child who is in search of a baobab tree. This
story is told through different ways in order to accommodate those who
are visually or hearing impaired. This story is told both through letters,
sounds, and American Sign Language. This helps children to learn
different ways of communication while teaching them stories and
imagination.
 Just Let Me Put My Legs On
o Children’s Book
 This book is about a young boy who is missing both of his legs. While he
gets picked on by other children, he knows that he is unique, and that once
he puts his legs on, he can be just as good as the other kids. This book
helps to educate children about amputees and what difficulties their
disabilities can cause them. However, this book also shows children that
those with disabilities can still function and be just as good, if not better,
than others.
 My Little Leg
o Children’s Book
 This book tells the story of a young girl who has one leg that has not
developed like her other one. The young girl does not see an issue with it
and embraces the fact that she is different than other people. Despite the
difficulties that she faces, she knows that she is capable of doing things
and being treated fairly. This book helps kids to see that everyone is
different, and that it is okay to have different physical attributes than
others.
 Uniquely Me
o Children’s Book
 This book tells the story of a little boy who was born without one of his
hands. Despite his differences from others, he loves himself for who he is.
He knows that his disability makes him unique, and he loves the way that
he is because it makes him different. This book shows children that it is
okay to be different, and that sometimes the differences that people have
are uncontrollable.
 My Friend Suhana
o Children’s Book
 This book tells the story of two young girls who become friends. One girl,
Suhana, has cerebral palsy, which makes it hard for her to walk, talk, and
communicate. Despite the fact that the two young girls cannot
communicate, the two become good friends and understand ways to have
fun together. This book shows children the differences that some have and
shows that you can still be friends to those different from you.

 A Guide for Raising a Child with Dwarfism

o Parenting Guide
o https://www.lpaonline.org/assets/documents/LPA%20New%20View%20FINAL.
%20122806.pdf
 This guide helps parents understand dwarfism and how their child may
have become a dwarf. This guide is written by adults that have dwarfism
and helps parents to understand some of the ways to help their children.
This guide gives many tips and ideas to help their children become self-
 sufficient and independent, despite the disability that they have and will
have for their life.
 How to Care for a Child with Epilepsy
o Parenting Guide
o https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/caring-child-epilepsy
 This short website helps parent to understand what epilepsy is, the causes,
and how to help their child that has epilepsy. Because epilepsy is a brain
condition, it is hard to treat. This website helps parents learn how to help
their children and gives a great deal of information about the statistics of
epilepsy and the warning sings to look out for.
 A Child with Blindness
o Video
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZu1CwSfm0g
 This short video looks into the life of a young girl with a visual
impairment. While little Emma can see some lights and colors, she cannot
fully see. This video shows Emma learning about language through Braille
and shows some of the things that Emma does on a day to day basis.
Emma does things that other “normal” children do, showing that even
though she has a disability, she is still a fully functioning member of
society.
 Kids Meet a Little Person
o Video
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asTMYyhs2bg
 This video shows children meeting with a 42-year-old woman who has
dwarfism. The woman educates them on her condition. Throughout the
video, the children ask questions. The children also continuously say that
she should be treated fairly even though she is different. This is a great
video for both children and adults to watch, as it shows the ways in which
people are treating others, even when they are different.
Resources About Inclusion
 Inclusive Teaching – Physical Disability
o https://www.adcet.edu.au/inclusive-teaching/specific-disabilities/physical-
disability/
 A Guide to Inclusion & Teaching Strategies For Students With Physical Disabilities
o https://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-physical-disabilities/124486-
inclusion-and-teaching-students-with-physical-disabilities/
 What Are Some of the Newest Teaching Methods for Students With Physical
Disabilities?
o https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/faq/newest-teaching-methods-
students-physical-disabilities/
 How-To Accommodate Special Needs Children on the Playground
o https://www.aaastateofplay.com/how-to-accommodate-special-needs-children-on-
the-playground/
 Children with Physical Disabilities at School and Home: Physical Activity and
Contextual Characteristics
o https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551125/

Additional Resources
 http://www.accessiblecampus.ca/tools-resources/educators-tool-kit/teaching-
tips/teaching-students-with-physical-disabilities/
 https://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-physical-disabilities/51778-teaching-
strategies-for-students-with-physical-disabilities/
 http://www.nea.org/home/55319.htm
 https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/faq/newest-teaching-methods-students-
physical-disabilities/
 http://dlmsolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Educators-Guide-to-teaching-
students-with-physical-disability.pdf
Accommodations in the Classroom
 Class Activities/Field Trips
o For physically disabled students, going on field trips can be a difficult task. For
example, if a student cannot walk there are certain accommodations by not only
the school that need to be met, but the place of visit, as well. For physically
disabled students, schools can:
1) Make sure the field trip destination has handicap accessible entrances as
well as activities
2) Have buses that can easily transport physically disabled students without
exclusion
 Tests
o Depending on the disability had, students can become easily tired and physically
exhausted even from writing or speaking. To help for test completion, teachers
can:
1) Extend test time
2) Allow students orally give answers instead of writing down answers
 Assignments
o Some assignments that teachers create can involve many different aspects and
elements that those with physical disabilities may find difficult or even
exhausting. To help with student burnout, teachers can:
1) Break assignments into smaller segments
2) Allow students to do assignments in ways in which they feel more
comfortable, whether it be writing, drawing, or presenting
 Classroom Setup
o Physically disabled students can have a wide variety of disabilities. Some of the
physical disabilities that one may have may hinder their ability to move around
the classroom. In this case, teachers should:
1) Make the room clear of any obstructions
2) Include seating and activities that physically disabled students can easily
be involved in
 Scheduling
o In large schools with many students, navigating throughout the school can be hard
for students with disabilities that hinder their ability to walk and move around. To
help students, schools should:
1) Allow students to leave class early to change classes
2) Designate areas in the hallway for those who need more space and room to
move