Mobility Impairments

Mobility impairments refer to conditions that limit a person’s coordination or ability to move. Some mobility impairments are congenital, while others are the result of an illness or physical injury. Professors may tend to think of mobility impairments as a general college accessibility issue and not a classroom concern, but there is a wide range of mobility impairments (e.g., arthritis, multiple sclerosis, amputation, etc.) that require varying degrees of classroom accommodations.

Even with the same disability, students may have a wide variety of characteristics. For example, persons who have experienced a spinal cord injury are likely to show differing degrees of impairment, they may require a personal attendant in class, or they may need no accommodations at all, depending on the functional limitations.

It is important to be aware of the barriers that students may face getting to your classroom, such as renovations that could block a sidewalk or an automatic door opener. Be sensitive to the needs of those using wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches, and let SAS know if you find that a classroom is not accessible.

• Difficulty getting to class on time
• Difficulty handling/moving objects, such as pencils and book pages
• Difficulty walking for long periods of time
• Low stamina
• Tendency to have more incidences of respiratory illnesses
• Use of a service animal
• Use of a personal attendant