Problems for differently abled Students in Classroom Essay Example
Students with disabilities and chronic ailments face a lot of challenges in the classroom. These obstacles can affect their performance and ability to learn. They often get left out because their needs are not accommodated. This essay will explore some of these issues, and how teachers can help to make classrooms more inclusive for differently-abled students.
Essay Sample on Problems for differently-abled Students in Classroom
Thesis Statement of Problems for Disabled Students in Classroom Essay
Teachers can help create a more inclusive classroom environment for differently-abled students by making accommodations and modifications, providing concrete support to the student, and listening to what each individual needs. All students should be able to receive the best education, regardless of their physical or mental abilities.
Introduction of Problems for Disabled Students in Classroom Essay
In order to promote a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students, it is imperative that educators take into account the needs of differently-abled learners. This includes providing accommodations in classroom settings, such as modified assignments or additional time on tests.
Differently-abled students are often overlooked in the education system because they don’t fit neatly into any one category of disability. They could have physical disabilities like blindness, deafness, or mobility issues; learning disabilities like dyslexia; mild cognitive impairments such as ADHD; developmental delays such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS); or mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Educators need to be aware of these diverse challenges so they can provide appropriate support.
Main Body of Problems for Disabled Students in Classroom Essay
The buzz about inclusive education becomes very popular in the recent couple of decades which comes with the idea of giving education to these students in regular classrooms. Prior to it, there were special schools for educating children with special needs.
Problems faced by disabled students in the classroom
The entire purpose of bringing inclusive education was to set an egalitarian approach for education among students. But in spite of implementing inclusive education, these differently-abled students come across a number of problems in the classroom.
- Poor access to infrastructural facilities: The biggest problem that hinders the path of learning for differently-abled students is the gulf of infrastructural facilities in educational institutions. The government allows inclusive education by merging the special education institution with that of regular classrooms but does not bother about thinking about the infrastructural gap. It becomes very difficult for the students having locomotory impairment to approach several classrooms one after another without an elevator.
For example, if a student wants to visit an IT lab but he cannot afford to do so because he needs to ascend the stairs to do so. As a result of which he has to take the help of someone else which puts a seed of inequality and inferiority in his brain. This finishes the entire purpose of inclusive education which is based on bringing equality among the students.
- Inability to write assignments on deadline: Teachers in inclusive education serve the same deadline for the students without considering the writing impairment in some students. Some of the differently-abled students are visually impaired and need extra time to finish their goals.
When each one of them is asked to submit their assignments on the same deadline it works like prejudice for the differently-abled students. They become unable to give their best in the assignments and it affects their academic score as well. That is why we can say that differently-abled students have to suffer a lot amongst the other students in classrooms.
- Social Taboos and demoralization by classmates: One of the most atrocious things that are suffered by the differently-abled students in classrooms and in society is a social taboo. There are so many social taboos that are linked to the differently-abled people by society. Some people say these differently-abled people should not study at all while others are in the perception that they cannot afford to compete with other students.
So, all these types of social taboos and bullying by classmates lower down the confidence of the students to a great extent. As a result of which many of them drop out from the classrooms in order to escape from the tongue lashes of the people in society.
- Lack of skilled tutors for differently-abled students: The classrooms which are giving education to the differently-abled students are also not well equipped with skilled tutors. Those who are teaching the regular students in the classroom are asked to teach the differently-abled students as well. But a person who is teaching differently-abled students should possess special skills to read the psychology of such students.
There are so many efforts that need to be put by the tutors to keep the differently-abled students motivated towards learning despite social demoralization. All these efficiencies and skills are not present in the tutors of the classrooms which are teaching in regular classrooms. As a result of which these students do not get the proper education and lag behind in learning.
- Several problems faced in inclusive classrooms: The problems faced by the students are not limited to the one described so far but at the same time, many other issues are also confronted by the students. For example, they might not be able to focus on a given lesson due to the problem of autism, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. As a result of which their study remains behind as compared to other students in the class.
At the same time lack of counseling proper guidance and motivation also put the confidence of differently-abled students down. Under such problems, they find it very difficult to survive in the education system especially when it comes to inclusive education. There are so many pending actions that need to be taken in order to reach the actual purpose of inclusive education.
- No proper facilities like hearing aids and other equipment: The other problem that is faced by the students in inclusive or even special education institutions is the lack of facilities. For example, if a person is having impaired hearing and cannot grab the lecture completely any facility of hearing aid is available in classrooms.
As a result of which his study gets hampered. At the same time, we can come across the same experience in the case of visually impaired, ADHD children, autistic children, People with dysgraphia problems, and so on.
The lack of all these issues gives rise to inequality in the education system especially when it comes to poor nations which cannot afford to maintain these facilities. This is the main reason why people who are differently-abled drop out of the classrooms to pursue online courses.
These are the issues that are encountered by the differently-abled students while they are subjected to the atmosphere of regular classrooms in inclusive education. So the only choice that is left with students under such scenarios is to switch to online assignments help to them submit their assignments on time.
Unfortunately, this is not the real solution for this issue and we should work towards providing equality to differently-abled students. They must get the right to study in regular classrooms without any hiccups or social bullying which limits them to online classes.
How should teachers accommodate students with disabilities in the classroom?
In order to accommodate differently-abled students in the classroom, teachers need to modify their curriculum and provide concrete support.
- Modifying the classroom environment: Differently-abled students should be treated equally when it comes to modifying the material that is being taught in class. In a Business Insider article by Priya Anand titled “Teachers Reveal How They Accommodate Students With Special Needs,” teachers from around the country share their strategies for making lessons inclusive for all of their students, even those with special needs. One teacher mentioned a student who has a feeding tube and was unable to participate in certain food-related activities due to the high sugar content of some foods. The teacher allowed this student to complete an alternative assignment instead.
- Providing concrete support: Oftentimes, students with disabilities require more concrete support than their peers. Teachers can accommodate these students by taking extra steps to check in with them and make sure that they understand the material that is being taught. In Maria Yagoda’s article for Scholastic titled “How to Make the Classroom More Inclusive for Students With Learning Disabilities,” teachers share how they provide separate assistance or tutorial sessions for different students who need additional help understanding the curriculum. For example, one teacher schedules smaller group study sessions so that she can give each student the attention he or she needs. This allows her to strengthen that specific aspect of a lesson rather than teach it within a larger context which may not be beneficial for all her students.
- Listening to what each individual student needs: Differently-abled students have different medical conditions that may affect how they are able to perform in the classroom. Teachers should listen with an open mind when it comes to learning about these disabilities, and accommodate their different needs accordingly. In Yagoda’s article for Scholastic, one teacher states that if a student has asthma or allergies, she walks around the room with him or her before class starts since some kids carry scented products, like lotion or perfume around with them which can cause problems for someone who is severely allergic.
Conclusion
There are many ways to help differently-abled students in the classroom. The key is to find what works for them and their circumstances, whether it be through modifications or accommodations. There are many potential solutions that can help make classrooms more accessible for differently-abled students, such as providing children with tools or accommodations they need in order to succeed in school. It’s up to us – teachers, administrators, parents, and caregivers alike – to ensure we’re doing what we can so everyone has access to high-quality education.