Mobility impairment

Mobility impairment is defined as a category of disability that includes people with varying types of physical disabilities. Mobility impairments can either be a congenital health problem, a condition acquired with age, or caused by a disease or injury. A person with physical impairment disabilities will often use assistive devices or mobility aids such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs to obtain mobility.

Conditions covered in this toolkit include:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Arthritis

This is not a full and comprehensive list of conditions and symptoms. There are a range of conditions that may cause mobility impairments for students. For more information on mobility impairments please see the resources section for further reading.

In this video, Inclusion Manager Jayne Faraday provides an overview of how a mobility impairment might affect a student and discusses reasonable adjustments that could be put in place to support them.

Positive ways you can support a student with a mobility impairment

Consider how you can accommodate the student if they are a wheelchair user. For example, they may need to position themselves in a particular part of the room.

Consider that the student may be able to transfer from their wheelchair to a chair with support if they prefer to do so. Ask the student if they prefer to move and offer assistance if they do.

Be aware that the student may have a note-taker or carer with them depending on the extent of their impairment

Advise students about support services, such as the Disability Support team.

Advise about assistive technology that may be available to the student.

Be prepared to help with reaching for, grasping, lifting, opening doors, and more

Speak directly to the student rather than any carers who may be with them.

When speaking to the student try to speak to them at their level, sit down or stand up rather than bending over or leaning over the student.

Scope has some helpful tips on how to ‘end the awkward’ when meeting a person with a disability.

If your student’s disability or condition is affecting their wellbeing or mental health see our Mental Health toolkits for advice on how to support them.

Check if there are any reasonable adjustments you can put in place to support the student.

Don’t push, lean or hold on to the wheelchair. The wheelchair is part of their personal space.

Don’t say ‘wheelchair–bound’ – a better phrase is ‘wheelchair-user’, they aren’t tied into the wheelchair.

Don’t lean down to the student to talk to them – consider sitting next to them on a chair.

Don’t ignore the obvious – if the student is in a wheelchair talk to them about it and if there is any support they need with getting around.

Don’t ignore access issues the student may have – consider changing the layout of the room or the location of the lecture or seminar if necessary.

Don’t be impatient with the student if things take a little longer.

Scope has some helpful tips on how to ‘end the awkward’ when meeting a disabled person.

Check if there are any reasonable adjustments you can put in place to support the student.

Early referral can prevent students falling behind with their work. Contact the Disability Support team to make a referral if:

• You are aware the student has a mobility impairment and requires support.
• The student doesn’t have a Student Support Plan in place already.
• You feel you need support around reasonable adjustments.

If the student requires support with anything else including accommodation, money advice or wellbeing support contact the Catalyst Helpdesk to make a referral.

If your student’s disability or condition is affecting their wellbeing or mental health see our Mental Health toolkits for advice on how to support them.

Useful links and further reading

Depending on the nature of the student’s disability, other websites and resources may be helpful – seek advice from the Disability Support team if necessary.

Scope

Arthritis Action

Cerebral palsy – NHS

Spina bifida – NHS

Refer to the Student Support Plan if the student has one – these are shared with the named contact in the Department or Faculty or contact the Disability Support team.