PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS

Gilbert Acosta and Gladys Uy

ED443G Assistive/Adaptive Technology

Dr. Jacqui Cyrus

OBJECTIVESBy the end of the presentation you

will be able to:1. Explain how physical disabilities are

organized.

2. Describe accommodations to the learning environment that help students with physical disabilities.

3. Explain how barriers that people with physical disabilities experience can be reduced.

4. What are causes and preventions of physical disabilities.

Federal Government Orthopedic Impairment Definition

Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly (clubfoot, absence of some members) impairments caused by disease (polio, bone tuberculosis) and impairments from other causes.

Prevalence of Orthopedic Impairment

Physical disabilities in children are low incidence disabilities.

The physical disabilities category includes some O.13 percent of all students.

The GPSS, as of September 2008, has 35 students that have orthopedic impairments enrolled

Organization of Physical Impairments

Neuromotor Impairments

• Cerebral Palsy• Multiple Sclerosis• Muscular Dystrophy• Polio• Seizure disorders• Spinal cord disorders• Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Muscular and Skeletal Conditions

• Juvenile Arthritis• Limb deficiencies• Skeletal disorders

Cerebral Palsy

• Incurable and nonprogressive condition caused by brain injury

• Limits individual’s ability to control muscle groups or motor functioning

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Chronic disease usually in adults

• Myelin covering nerve fibers of brain/spinal cord deteriorate

• No transmission of electrical signals from brain to other body parts

Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

• Rare, incurable, progressive disease, weakens and then destroys the affected individual’s muscles.

Polio

Seizure Disorders

• Condition of recurrent convulsions or seizures caused by abnormal brain electrical activity.

• First Aid for Seizures:

If person’s mouth is open, place a folded cloth or soft object between teeth to protect his tongue.

Spinal Cord Disorders

• Typically the result of injuries from accidents or abuse, can cause severe motor impairments and even paralysis.

Juvenile Arthritis

• Disease caused by an autoimmune process resulting in swelling, immobility, and pain in joints.

Limb Deficiencies

• Caused by congenital or from injuries, limbs are shortened, absent, or malformed.

Skeletal Disorders

• Dwarfism caused by abnormal development of long bones resulting in varying degrees of motor disabilities.

• Scoliosis, curvature of the spine, occurs in children during puberty may limit mobility of the trunk.

Accommodations to Learning Environment

• Adapt the physical environment

• Change student response mode

• Alter materials and equipment

• Modify the activity• Provide Extra

Assistance

• Remove hazards, widen aisles, seating

• Speaking instead of writing and vise versa

• Handouts, AAT, adapt writing tools

• More time, flexible• Peer tutors, family

help, volunteers

Reduce barriers to access educational environment

• Determine where barriers exist

• Assess redesign classroom’s room arrangement

• Bathroom, lunchroom, playground, gym, music room, library, bus, etc.

• Desks, tables, work areas, storage space, and learning centers

Physical Disabilities (accidents)

• CAUSES• Motor Vehicle Accident• Water/diving accidents• Gunshot wounds

• Sports Injuries

• Child abuse

• PREVENTION• Child restraints, safety

belts, air bags, helmets• Dive/swim safety• Gun control, locked

ammo, gun training• Protective equipment,

training, conditioning• Family services,

training

Assistive /Adaptive Devices for Physical Impairments

Standard weight Manual Wheelchair $175

Ultra-Light Custom Wheelchair $1,895

Power Wheelchairs $1,199

Electric Mobility Scooters $749

Walkers $79- $170

Rollators $119-$175

Forearm Crutches $68

Bariatric Crutches $121

Arthritis Knee brace $600

Assistive Technology Devices:

walker

Manual wheelchairs

rollator Knee brace

Power scooter

Forearm crutches

Video clips of Physical Impairments

• Courageous East Longmeadow girl isn’t letting physical disability get her down

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBfzaC0auEg• NEWSBREAK_080307• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUy9UgZZDVI

ReferencesSmith, Deborah (2007), Introduction to Special Education: Making a Difference 6th Edition, Pearson Education, Inc.

The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2008 .

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/03/19/internationa

Frost’s Meditations. Retrieved October 20, 2008. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl

Mobility Pro.com . Retrieved October 22, 2008. http://mobilitypro.ocm/index.php/cPath/35_83

www.rollingspokes.com/products.htm

www.medcareproducts.com/castcovers/

prodinfo.a...

Thank You!