Mobility impairments are defined as conditions that affect people with a range of physical disabilities. Mobility impairments have a range of causes, which include congenital health conditions, or those caused by diease, injury, or age. The impact of mobility impairments can range from mild to severe and individuals may use mobility aids to support them in daily life, including crutches, canes, and wheelchairs.
Strengths on school experience
Students feel that their strengths in school can include:
- being flexible, adaptable, and resilient
- adapting practice to suit the needs of all learners
- planning well-considered and accessible lessons for all learners
- empathising and supporting pupils with other mobility impairments
- using personal experience and strategies with children in their class.
Potential challenges on school experience
Students shared that barriers on school experience might include:
- accessing different parts of the school building
- moving confidently around the classroom and wider school
- managing low level behaviour while leading the class
- teaching across the curriculum or leading lessons with more physical aspects
- becoming fatigued after physically demanding days at school
- experiencing pain on school experience
- needing to familiarise themselves with the layout of the classroom and school.
Disclosing your needs on school experience
One of the most useful ways to ensure you are supported while on your placement is to disclose your diagnosis to your mentor, if you feel comfortable to do so. It is important that your mentor understands what your strengths and your unique challenges may be. Delay in disclosure or not disclosing could mean that you do not have access to the support you deserve. To help you with the conversation, follow what, when, and how guide.
- What: state what is relevant, you do not need to disclose everything. Suggest the challenges you may need support with and how you mentor can support you with this.
- When: as early as possible at a convenient time, or when specific support is needed.
- How: in conversation with your mentor. Position your disability positively and come preprepared for the conversation.
Strategies for students on schools experience
St Mary's University encourages students to advocate for themselves and take ownership over their school experience. Students may wish to consider:
- being proactive in developing their own strategies
- planning an early visit to their placement school to plan their route
- arranging a tour of the school with their mentor when it is quiet
- speaking to their mentor about the most accessible places to sit, work, and observe to promote progress
- planning ahead to minimise hazards in the classroom
- managing behaviour clearly to make expectations clear e.g. tucking in chairs
- making use of assistive resources, where appropriate.
Strategies for mentors supporting students
Mentors play a significant role in supporting our trainees in school. Trainees may be best supported by mentors if they:
- speak to the trainee about what would be helpful for them while on placement
- share locations of key spaces in the schools, including disabled toilets
- allow time for the trainee to move about the classroom and wider school
- keep classrooms clear of trip hazards and maintain this expectation with pupils
- consider the layout of the physical classroom and adjusting this to support the trainee
- support the trainee with the delivery of more physically demanding lessons
- allow the trainee to sit during the teaching day, if appropriate
- allow the trainee to wear comfortable footwear and clothing, if required
- support trainees in understanding the week ahead in good time.
Support if issues arise on school experience
Students should:
- speak to their personal tutor and programme staff for support
- seek support from the Wellbeing Service
- refer to wellbeing on placement handbook.
Other resources for students, link tutors, and mentors
Due to the broad range of conditions that cause mobility impairments, we recommend that students, link tutors, and mentors refer to websites relating to the specific need of the trainee. Our team will also be more than happy to recommend relevant resources.
- St Mary's Wellbeing Service - Dyslexia and Disability