Dana is walking around the school building noticing boldly coloured doors, colourful stairs, and classroom labels that stand out to her. Everything gives her a positive impression. When she meets the principal and he asks her how she likes the school, she makes sure to share her feelings about the space. The principal explains to Dana that there is another significance to the colourful arrangement. A girl attending the ninth grade has a visual impairment and these modifications help her orient herself better.
A Guide for Beginning Teachers
Getting to know the school building
At the very beginning, you should get to know the school building, so you can orient yourself better. It is vital to be attentive to details because these might be helpful in unexpected ways.
What helps pupils with visual impairments?
- A desk with enough space for all their special aids
- Sun glare prevention and the use of a lamp to illuminate the desk
- Door colours that contrast with the surroundings
- Handle colours that contrast with the doors
- Distinctive labels on the doors
- Contrasting stair edges
- Basins that contrast with the walls, toilets that contrast with the surroundings.
Dana recalls her friend Šimon, who uses a wheelchair after being in a car accident and asks the principal whether the school is accessible for pupils with physical disabilities. The principal answers that it is partly so. There is wheelchair accessible toilet on every floor of the building and there are no doorsills at classroom entrances which would make the movement of the wheelchair difficult. The only problem is the absence of a lift. The one ex-pupil who used a wheelchair while attending the school used a step lift. The issue with the step lift is that it is very slow. The principal is now discussing the issue with the municipality that established the school and they are planning to build a lift. He is looking forward to it because it would also be helpful for teachers and pupils with sprained ankles.
What helps pupils who use a wheelchair?
- A ramp if there are stairs at the main entrance
- Accessible locker
- Step lift or lift
- No doorsills at the entrances to classrooms
- Height adjustable desk
- Wheelchair accessible toilet.
What helps pupils with hearing impairments?
- It is a good idea to place notice boards and paintings on the walls as it improves the acoustics in the classroom
- Good acoustic insulation (of the noise from outside of the classroom)
- Sitting the pupils with hearing impairments in the first few rows
- Available sun glare prevention.
What helps pupils with behavioural disorders?
- A quiet place where the pupils can calm down if needed
Assignment: Accessibility of the Faculty of Education
Walk around the faculty building and think about whether it is accessible for students with physical handicaps