Teaching and Beyond: What you can do for your student with disabilities
When it comes to students with disabilities, it takes more effort, accommodation and flexibility on the part of the teacher. Here are some methods to effectively teach them lessons.
Learning Disabilities
Most students who have learning disabilities find it difficult to process, organize and remember a lot of spoken information, as well as take down a lot of notes. They might have problems with verbal communication too. Try audio-taped class sessions or having the option for electronic discussions via email.
Blindness and Low Vision
Since they cannot see visual aids or printed material, try preferential seating, having a brailler or computer for note-taking, electronic course materials that can be converted to speech output, Braille handouts, and clear verbal descriptions of visual aids and demonstrations. For those with low vision, large-print handouts and visual aids are recommended.
Hearing Impairments
Challenged by verbal discussions since most hearing impaired are also speech impaired, it would be best if there are sign language interpreters present, assistive listening devices like microphones, preferential listening for easier lip reading, and options for electronic discussion.
Aside from speaking clearly at a normal rate, directly face the student, and don’t obscure lips or face with your hands. Repeat questions and statements made by other students, and write down key discussion points and questions. And indicate who is speaking by pointing or gesturing.
Mobility Impairments
Access to the classroom and note-taking are the usual challenges for mobility impaired students. Have accessible seating and computers for notetaking, as well as audiotaped class sessions.
Health and Psychiatric Impairments
These students, due to various health and psychiatric problems, will have difficulty with regular class attendance. They get easily tired and medication can affect memory and attention. If possible, options for electronic discussion, notetakers and flexible attendance requirements should be made available to them.
After guiding them through their coursework at high school, help them to plan and prepare for college.
Be better equipped in handling the needs of students with disabilities, and their enthusiasm for learning will multiply.
Sources:
Burgstahler, Sheryl. (n. d.) Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial.Retrieved December 4, 2007 from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/cprep.html
n. a. (n. d.) Faculty Strategies. Retrieved December 4, 2007 fromhttp://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Disability/Psych/
(Published 10 December 2007, Smart Schools Program)
