Orthopedic Impairment

Nicole Piccini

Orthopedic impairment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
is described as, impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by
disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g.
cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures) (Categories
of Disability Under IDEA 2012). The specifics of the severity and the conditions of the
impairment are particular to the disease the individual has. For students with orthopedic
impairments, their ability to learn is focused around accommodations necessary for them
to obtain instruction from teachers.

Tips to help orthopedic impaired students in your class:

Ensure student is in a safe, positive, and comfortable learning environment.
Student may need a note taker, and someone to help them get to their next class, so
setting up roles for each student in your class [changes each quarter] would be
helpful. These roles can be: board eraser, homework collector, etc. in addition to
note taker and a designated helper for the impaired student.
Assign seats to all students on the first day, and place the student with the
impairment at a desk or table that is easy for them to get in and out of. Assigning
seats to all students will help ensure the student does not feel excluded or singled

out.
Make sure your classroom is completely accessible and barrier free.
Offering extended test time and oral or taped tests.
Excused tardiness.
Laboratory assistance.
Tape record lessons and lectures for student.