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Difficulties with Mobility
Mobility is movement that involves changing the position of oneself or an object.
Difficulties with Mobility - adjustments to practice
Mobility is movement that involves changing the position of oneself or an object. A person with a mobility impairment may have difficulty with walking, standing, lifting, climbing stairs, carrying, balancing, or having the stamina and endurance to do these kinds of activities.
Mobility impairments can stem from a number of causes and may be permanent, intermittent or temporary. People can be affected in many ways, from the most obvious, such as an impairment of limb function, which may necessitate the use of aids such as wheelchairs, to more subtle ways, as in the case of a head injury. This may present as loss of fine motor control, balance or concentration. People with conditions such as cerebral palsy may have associated impairments of speech and vision.
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Difficulties with Mobility - adjustments to practice
These strategies are suggestions for inclusive teaching and training. This list should not be considered exhaustive and it is important to remember that all learners are individuals, and good practice for one person may not necessarily be good practice for another. If you have any good practice that you would like to add to this list, please email your suggestions to ettad@worc.ac.uk.
Environmental Factors
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- Think carefully about the location where the learning takes place in addition to any ongoing programme of improvements to access.
- Ensure that there is at least one unisex accessible toilet that is clearly signposted.
- Organise orientation sessions for individuals, to assist navigation around buildings, materials and learning resources.
- Plan the arrangement of, and adaptations to, furniture and learning resources.
- Use low-tech aids, such as cereal packets to cut out glare on a visual display unit, or thick books or telephone directories to adjust height.
- Be aware of the personal evacuation plan for an individual with a mobility issue in case of emergencies.
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Course Delivery
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- It is unlikely that an individual's mobility impairment will necessitate changes in the delivery of teaching. It is more likely that learners will require feasible timetabling and deadlines and copies of course notes.
- Structure lessons to incorporate short breaks, according to individual need.
- If breaks between lessons are short, a person with a mobility issue might not be able to get to class on time. Make sure suitable accommodations are met e.g. relaying information missed at the beginning of a session.
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General Guidance
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- Do not use the term wheelchair bound, use wheelchair users.
- All mobility impairments increase the time and effort which learners must expend in activities of daily living, as well as in activities related to their studies. Be aware of this if an individual is making requests such as extra time for the completion of assignments.
- If a personal assistant is present ensure all communication is directed to the person with the disability and not through the third party (unless requested by the disabled person).
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Learning categories
