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SPECIFIC DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Orthopedic Impairments
An orthopedic or mobility impairment, the most easily recognized disability,
results from congenital conditions, accidents, or progressive neuromuscular
diseases. These disabilities include: spinal cord injury (paraplegia or quadriplegia),
ABI (acquired brain injury) cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputation, stroke,
cardiac conditions, muscular dystrophy and polio/post polio syndrome. Functional
limitations and abilities vary widely even within one group of disabilities.
Accommodations vary greatly and are best determined on an individual basis.
The Student Services Assistant is available to assess and accommodate each
student's needs.
Accommodations may include:
- Classrooms in accessible locations and a place for faculty to meet with
the student
- Extra time to get from one classroom to another, especially in inclement
weather
- Note takers, use of tape recorders, laptop word processors, or photocopying
of notes from peers
- Test accommodations: extended time, separate "quiet" place, scribes,
access to adaptive computer stations
- Special computer hardware/software; voice activated word processing, word
prediction, keyboard modification, alternative mice
- Extra time for assignments due to slow writing speed
- Accessible parking close to buildings and/or tram services
- Course waiver or substitution for qualified students
- Special seating in classroom
- Advanced planning of field trips to ensure accessibility
- Adjustable tables and/lab work stations
Tips:
A student with upper body mobility impairment may not be able to raise
his/her hand. Establish eye contact and call on them when they indicate they
want to participate in class discussion.
A wheelchair is "personal space" and one should not touch it, lean
on it, or push it unless asked. When you are talking to a student with a wheelchair,
you yourself should be seated to avoid making the student peer upward at you.
Not all mobility impairments are constant and unchanging; some students may
experience relapses requiring bed rest or hospitalization. They may need extra
time to make up missed work. The Student Services Assistant will facilitate
any accommodations that need to be made.
Exercise is a proven tool for maintaining good health. When one is not able
to participate in mainstream physical education classes because of an orthopedic
disability, an alternative is the adaptive physical education program offered
at Gavilan College. Aquatic Exercise classes that enable students
to exercise in the pool, ease the stress of exercise on joints and muscles
while giving students a healthy work out. Gavilan's Adaptive Fitness
Center offers weight training, stretching and cardiovascular conditioning
for those who have been disabled through stroke, arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
and cardiovascular accident.
The Adaptive Services
Specialist will arrange tram services for students who have physical disabilities.
Please call Bruce Lee at (408) 848-4823.
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5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard