Julie Shaw

EDU 202-2001

Teaching Assignment

Types of Disabilities

Objective:

Explain different types of disabilities. Explore the thirteen categories under IDEA. Discuss the difference
between invisible and visible disabilities. Recognize signs of possible conditions which could cause a
student to have difficulty in school. Emphasize the importance of becoming educated about disabilities
as an educator.

Materials:

Power Point presentation

Videos

Handouts – dyslexia/dysgraphia/dyscalculia

Activity – Quiz

Content:

 What is the definition of a disability?

 According to the ADA, a disability is defined as “The ADA defines a person with a disability as a
person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not
currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are
regarded as having a disability. The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person
based on that person’s association with a person with a disability.”

 Are all disabilities visible?

 No, many are invisible. An invisible disability is one that is not well recognized at first sight.

 Types of conditions which can cause disability (which can also be invisible)
 Asthma
 Cerebral Palsy
 Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Autism
 Cancer
 Mental Disorders
 Learning Disorders
 Traumatic Brain Injury
 Connective Tissue Disorders
 Should everyone have a right to learn regardless of ability or disability? Yes, and it is the law.

 Let’s talk about IDEA.

 What is the Individuals with Disabilities Act?
 IDEA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a
free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation
and ensures special education and related services to those children.
 The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special
education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children,
and youth with disabilities.
 Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early
intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive
special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

 13 Categories under IDEA

 Autism, Deafness, Hearing Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Other Health Impairment, Speech
or Language Impairment, Visual Impairment, Deaf-Blindness, Emotional Disturbance, Intellectual
Disability, Orthopedic Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury

 Brief History of IDEA

 On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All
Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA). In adopting this landmark civil rights measure, Congress opened public
school doors for millions of children with disabilities and laid the foundation of the country’s
commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities have opportunities to develop their
talents, share their gifts, and contribute to their communities.

 Why is it important to understand student disabilities? How ignorance creates negative attitudes
and hurts students.
 Play video #1
 Play video #2
 What is the difference between modification and accommodation?
 Play video #3

Closing:

Remember, all people regardless of disability are entitled to an education and inclusion. We all have an
important role to play in society. Disabled students shouldn’t have to overcome their disability, rather,
schools and society need to become accommodating and accessible to ensure an equal chance at
achievement.

Quiz: Play game

Resources:

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-
rights/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-idea-what-you-need-to-know

https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-disability-under-ada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmPL1K9ucgQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkSvHF5Dj7U#action=share

https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/cms_011495.aspx

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-
strategies/the-difference-between-accommodations-and-modifications

https://www.weareteachers.com/dysgraphia/

https://scitechdaily.com/understanding-dyscalculia-and-how-the-brain-processes-numbers/