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There is a broad continuum of physical impairment and resulting implications for students. Some students may have a relatively mild disability with minimal effect on their educational access, participation and achievements, while others may experience more significant challenges. Any particular condition may vary in severity. A student with a physical impairment may have difficulties in one or more of the following areas : gross mobility, fine mobility, self care, communication skills.1
The spectrum of impairments can range from asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer to more obvious physical conditions such as spina bifida and genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome. In their own fashion, each can be as damaging as any other.
As indicated on the Special Education home page, inclusion is a preferred educational option wherever this is possible and every effort is usually made to achieve this. Where this is not possible, special classes or special schools involving building, curriculum and staffing modifications are used.
This page looks at Associations working in this area, selected educational sites and learning technologies including tips and strategies.
The Second Page looks at specific conditions, government agencies and programs, parent and children sites, resources, magazines, journals and other information.
The Special Education Resources page provides further options from Australia and overseas.
Select the relevant page for information by using the links above or the page number links at the top of this section.
If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given due consideration.
Associations
Australian Sites
- Association of Genetic Support of Australasia
‘AGSA is a network of people who are affected by genetic conditions, either directly or indirectly. Our job is to make sure that you have someone to talk to and you have other places and people we can put you in contact with to make your journey a little easier. We have built up a contact register with over 850 genetic conditions plus 250 rare chromosome abnormalities and details of support groups’. Check their Links Page in particular. - Australian Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association
Information about conditions, Fact Sheets, Ask an Expert, Awareness Month and more. - Association for Children with a Disability
Parental Support Service, Fact Sheets, siblings, dads, links to other sites, regional contact information. Links grouped in directories from Accessibility to Transport/Travel. - Brain Foundation
The Brain, Healthy Brain, Stroke, Brain Tumour, A-Z of Brain Disorders, research, news, events, library, links. Previously Brain Australia. - Carers Australia
What’s New ?, research, advocacy, information, resources, further information, state organisations. - CP Australia
‘Create a national focus on cerebral palsy to promote the interests, rights, roles and wellbeing of people with cerebral palsy and similar disorders’. News, initiatives, publications, search engine. Links to state associations. - Cystic Fibrosis Australia
News, events, research, resources, forums, state organisations, CF stories. - Epilepsy Action Australia
Understanding Epilepsy, interacting with Epilepsy, news, media & resources, publications, sections for Teens and Kids, First Aid information. Check the section on Epilepsy & Seizures linked from the home page. - Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia
FAQs, state associations, issues, literature, archived material, news. - Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Research, how they can help, news & events, publications, archived material, online learning, newsletter, resources. - Muscular Dystrophy Association
The national association. Information on the range of disorders, 101 questions, resources, linked sites, programs, research, support. - Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society of Australia
Information, FAQs, Photo Gallery, newsletter, services/resources, links. Their Information Directory is worth visiting. - Physical Disability Australia
News, submissions, links, contact information. - Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
Originally the Australian Quadriplegic Association. Information about services, FAQs, Hot Topics, events, publications, news, Links to further information and groups.
State Bodies
- Down Syndrome NSW
What’s New ?, information, new parents, forum, photo gallery, newsletter, library, dads, links, blog. - Head Injured Society of Western Australia
Advocacy, information, head injuries, personal journeys, contact information. - Interchange Victoria
‘Provides support to families who have a child with a disability. Interchange provides respite and social support through the help of carefully selected volunteers. Interchange programs included, host care, youth groups, school holiday programs, camps, sibling and family activities’. - Novita
Connecting Kids with Their World. ‘Provides therapy, equipment and home support services to children and young people with disability, as well as inclusion support to child care services in northern and western country regions of South Australia’. - Physical Disability Council of NSW
FAQs, news, issues, publications, priorities, education, student index, online guide, service guide and more. - Spinal Injuries Association [Qld]
Services & support, getting involved, injury prevention, news & events and more. - The Northcott Society
New South Wales group. Support children with neuro-muscular disabilities and acquired injuries. Services, support mechanisms. - Yooralla
‘Yooralla provides quality disability services for Victorians in need’. Services, publications, news, further links.
International Sites
- Arthritis Foundation [US]
Resources, research, magazine, conditions & treatments, message board, quiz, drug guide. - Congenital Heart Information Network
Information and data grouped under 4 major headings - Community, Resources, Links and About. The middle two of most value in Australia. - Cystic Fibrosis Trust [UK]
Information about the disease, research and more. - National Down Syndrome Society
‘To benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy’. US based. - The National Spinal Cord Injury Association
News & information, a new injury, A-Z of Resources, surveys and studies, press room, information specific to the US. - Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation
Information for Parents, Youth, Caregivers and Volunteers, news & events, medical treatment information, resources, Chat Room, links.
Education Sites
Sites covering education and schooling. Check other relevant state/territory links on the main Special Education page.
- Australian Association of Special Education
‘Concerned with all who have special education needs’. Links to state chapters, journals, links to further information, position papers. - Disability Access [NSW]
Information and links about special education in New South Wales. Covers all disabilities, not just physical. - District Support Services [SA]
‘This section will explain to you what support is available from your preschool’s/school’s district office’. All disabilities. - Inclusive Education
Information on inclusive learning environments, care & protection, student activity enhancement, community support. - Physical Impairment
Education Queensland. Information about publications, activities and support strategies. For more information on Physical Impairment, go here. You can also discover information on What are the educational implications ? here. - Program for Students with Disabilities
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria. Details relating to physical disabilities. - Special Education [NT]
Brief information and contacts for what is available in multiple areas. - Disability Education Section [ACT]
Special education in the ACT. All disabilities, not just physical.
Selected Schools & Teaching Centres
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Based in NSW. Provides services for children and adults. Primarily based around Cerebral Palsy.
Previously known as The Spastic Centre. - Noah’s Ark Inc.
‘Victoria’s largest Early Childhood Intervention and Inclusion Support Program for children with additional needs’. - Regency Park School
‘A specialist South Australian Government school for students with physical and related disabilities’. - St. Luke’s Pre-School Field Work
Victoria. Uses a field worker to ensure support and inclusion of children in state-run preschools. See under Support Services.
Physical Technology
Includes links to sites for information and resource suppliers of adaptive and other technology.
In addition to the equipment, etc., listed below, also check the Education Software and Special Education Resources pages.
- Achievable Concepts
‘Adapted Recreation and Sporting Equipment for People with Disabilities [and the Aged]’. - Independent Living Centres Australia Inc.
‘A database of Assistive Technology products and services to improve daily living’. Access links to suppliers and resources in all states and territories. Not just physical disabilities. - Spectronics
Australian. What‘s new ?, FAQs, catalogue, equipment trials, training, assessment services. - TADVic
‘Volunteer members design, construct or modify equipment for people with disabilities’. - Telstra Disability
Services
Information about techniques and tools supplied by Telstra to aid those with disabilities. - Assistive Technology
Annotated links to assistive technology. Covers more than physical disabilities. - Software for People With Disability
Annotated links to software. Covers more than physical disabilities.
Tools, Techniques & Strategies
Primarily designed for teachers and other education professionals, but also usable by parents.
Classroom Strategies
Access strategies developed in British Columbia covering the conditions noted. While Canadian in basis, they are applicable in all educational settings, allowing for specific systemic requirements.
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Cerebral Palsy [3]
- Diabetes
- Down’s Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Spina Bifida
- Specialist Staff Working with Students with Disabilities
‘Education Queensland employs specialist staff who work with students with disabilities’. Details of these. - Strategies for Teaching Students With Motor/Orthopedic Impairments
Covers situations involving General Strategies through to Group Interaction and Testing.
References
- 1. Physical Impairment - What are the educational implications ? Education Queensland, 18 Sept. 2007. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/learning/disability/generalinfo/physical/pi3.html.