General Information

Faculty/Staff Handbook

Mobility Disabilities

Accommodations | Conditions

Mobility disabilities are defined as: "… limitation in locomotion or motor functions which indicates a need for supportive services or programs. Included in this category would be persons who have asthma, cardiovascular problems, or who do not have motor functions necessary to lift or carry items normally used in an academic setting (i.e., books and supplies)."

Mobility limitations can include permanent or temporary disabilities. Many of the individuals who have mobility disabilities use canes, braces, wheelchairs, etc. in order to get around the campus and community. People with upper-body mobility disabilities may have difficulty taking notes and completing other physical tasks. They will probably have notetakers or audio cassette tape players to assist them. Many students with lower-body mobility disabilities will simply require wheelchair seating in the classroom. They may require a modified desk or lab station. They also will use elevator and ramp access on the campus and in the community.

Accommodations

May Include:

accessible location for the classroom and place for faculty to meet with student
extra time to get from one class to another, especially in inclement weather
special seating in classrooms, standing or lying on the floor
notetakers, use of tape recorders, laptop computers, or photocopying of peer notes
test accommodations: extended time; separate place; scribes; access to word processors
special computer equipment/software: voice activated word processing; word prediction; keyboard modification
extra time for assignments due to slow writing speed
adjustable lab or drafting tables for classes taught in lab settings
lab assistance
accessible parking in close proximity to the building
customized physical education class activities that allow students to participate within their capabilities
course substitution for certain students
taped texts
advance planning for field trips to ensure accessibility.  If the university provides student transportation on a field trip, it must provide accessible transportation also.

Students with orthopedic/mobility impairments may have any of the following conditions:

pain, spasticity or lack of coordination
flare-ups of intensity of the symptoms
periods of remission in which few or no symptoms are visible
inability to walk without crutches, canes, braces or walkers
ability to stand or walk, but may use wheelchair to conserve energy or gain speed
inability to stand or walk; uses wheelchair for total mobility
limited lower body use, but full use of arms and hands
impairment of speech or hearing
limited head or neck movement
decreased physical stamina and endurance
decreased eye-hand coordination

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