Children with physical impairments

Disabled children and students can access any early years setting or school. Staff are expected to make reasonable adjustments to make sure the classroom and site is safe, secure and accessible. Staff will need to regularly review accessibility from different perspectives; a child in a wheelchair may have different needs from a child with a walking aid. Students, children and families can contribute ideas for improving accessibility in the classroom, across the school site and in relation to the journey to and from school.

Children with physical impairments may need specific resources and specialist aids to support their access to the curriculum. These might range from a pair of glasses to a touchscreen computer. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and technical specialists can provide advice, support and information to help make sure a child can access the curriculum. They will know what equipment and services are available and can suggest possible options. Collecting evidence of need from different professionals working with the child or young person can be helpful when looking for funding for specialist pieces of equipment.

Watch Katherine's video

Katherine attends a mainstream secondary school and explains that because of her impairment she sometimes has to do certain things differently, or use particular equipment, but that in every other respect she is just like anyone else.

In this video she talks about some of the things she enjoys in her life, and one of these is wheelchair basketball.

Watch the video "Normal - by Katherine" on YouTubeCaptions

Click on the subject below to find out tips on teaching children with physical impairment who are at a particular P level or key stage: