Toward a Deeper Understanding of Disability: Physical Therapy Educators’ Reflections

Authors

Clarence Chan, CUNY La Guardia Community CollegeFollow
Debra Engel, CUNY La Guardia Community CollegeFollow
Jacqueline Ross, CUNY La Guardia Community College

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2015

Abstract

This article describes the unique journey both of a blind student in our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program and of the faculty who taught him as they all navigated through uncharted territories. Despite the fact that the physical therapy profession trains practitioners to help clients with disabilities to maximize their physical function and teaches them how to adapt to the challenges of daily activity, we initially assumed that a blind student would not be able to complete the program or be able to become a self-sufficient practitioner. We were very wrong. This article describes our learning process over the course of an eighteen-month program and details a valuable pedagogical experience pertinent to anyone in the teaching profession. We particularly stress the importance of being flexible and open in modifying one's teaching style to accommodate the needs of the individual student and offer tips on doing so without bias or overcompensation.

Comments

This is the accepted manuscript version of:

Chan, Clarence, Debra Engel, and Jacqueline Ross. "Toward a Deeper Understanding of Disability: Physical Therapy Educators’ Reflections." Pedagogy, vol. 15 no. 3, Oct. 2015, pp. 549-557. doi:10.1215/15314200-2917169.