A colleague is concerned about the possibility of the placement in his general education classroom of students with low-incidence disabilities like physical and health impairments, visual or hearing impairments, or traumatic brain injury. He says that he doesn't have the specialized skills to handle such students; he doesn't know Braille or sign language, and his classroom isn't suitable for

Question

wheelchairs. How would you reassure him about such placements? In your response address the incidence of such learners and the probable level of impairment, as well as the skills needed for working with such learners in the milder ranges of impairment.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Compared to conditions like learning disabilities, ADHD, intellectual disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders, there are many fewer students with these conditions. Learners within these classifications have conditions that range from mild to severe, with the majority of them at the milder end of the continuum. Most learners with hearing or visual impairments can use their hearing or vision for learning although they will be less efficient in that use, and they may need adaptive devices like magnifiers or amplification and preferential seating. Learners with physical and health impairments may need related services outside the classroom, but most do not use wheelchairs. It is likely that with the teacher collaborating with the special educator and related services providers, these learners will be able to function just like others in the classroom with minimal accommodations. The key is for teachers to request the specific information they need from available support personnel to be effective with these learners.