As a point of interest, this is what I'm going through now! Hopefully, a few people could give a few different experiences, and it would be really interesting! – Matthew Higgins Jul 23 '12 at 17:49

I think this question can have [disability] instead of epilepsy, meaning that the question is probably useful for every kind of restriction you have. – Raphael Jul 23 '12 at 17:54

It could, I wrote the question as it was my own situation, but you are correct, lots of disabilities take time to adjust to. We are looking for example questions that people want answers to, so it would make sense to crreate a separate question for anything relatively common that takes a lot of lifestyle changes. As I say, it's all about good quality example questions! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:43

Oh yea. Wheelchairs must be a curse at my university. – Raphael Jul 23 '12 at 18:11

My University has been very good in a lot of rooms, but a few rooms have been near impossible to adapt. They survive by timetabling students in wheelchairs first, to make sure that they are in the accessible rooms. – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:45

I have never seen a wheelchair at my university. I had it on my mind to use one for a week to check everything out. Never got around to it, though. :/ – Raphael Jul 26 '12 at 6:08

This touches on some legal issues here in the US. Big fines can be dealt out to public institutions for not complying with ADA regulations. This also touches on the point of how "leagal" advice should be dealt with on the site. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 23:04

It doesn't have to! Until you say "what do I need to do to not be breaking the law", it can be argued its not legal advice. The question asks practically how to do it, so what structural or furniture changes, but could equally be what is the best way or most comfortable for students. Questions like this definitely shouldn't be disallowed, and without reference to legislation, are difficult to portray as legal questions. – Matthew Higgins Jul 27 '12 at 13:55

This question would require to provide precise description of your situation, because it depends on extremally many things, such as you work character and your boss etc. – volkerjaan May 26 at 21:48

Thanks for this, it's a really interesting question that someone who has been in that position could give a really interesting answer to! Brilliant! – Matthew Higgins Jul 23 '12 at 17:46

It's also interesting to note that questions like this are currently in a grey area of the scope, as such conditions are (hopefully!) not permanent. I think the site would be the right place to discuss temporary disabilities, but the community has to want that. – Raphael Jul 23 '12 at 17:59

It's possible to infer that this question may refer to permanent brain damage, as opposed to a temporary brain injury, based on the wording, but that's being very picky. I think temporary conditions are worth including, but, as this slowly gathers more support, we can get what people want set out a little more clearly! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 6:41

Afaik, permanent brain damage might cause "only" temporary disability because undamaged parts take over. So yea, the example is chosen to gauge how the community wants to treat questions temporary conditions similar to permanent ones. – Raphael Jul 26 '12 at 6:54

Yeah, you're just about spot on, although that's not always the case. I'm from a Neuroscience background! I think it would do the community good to be receptive of those with short term disabilities, although I'd be weary about updating the description as it would give the impression of trying to attract people with things like broken toes! You are right, I guess the point I was making was more one of lexicon; usually, a brain injury is considered temporary, and brain damage considered permanent, but it's really not a big deal! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 10:52

I really like the fact that this question encourages wider understanding of disability issues, which are often the basis of prejudice and discrimination! Love it! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:30

Note that this question might be too broad. I did that intentionally because I think a layperson would ask like that, discovering the wealth of issues only from the answers. – Raphael Jul 26 '12 at 6:07

Would probably better fit to StackOverflow (accesibility) or SuperUser. – unor Jan 25 at 10:43

@unor I don't think so. They would not know what is important. Once I know what I need to do (high contrast, suited for screen readers, ...) I would of course go there to learn how to do it. – Raphael Jan 25 at 11:15

Do you mean of adults in the US? Also, when asked the question should probably specify for what kind of disability. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 23:01

@Reid: "us" as in "we". The point is to make the house easy to adapt to future, not yet known disabilities. For example, thinking of wheelchair use you can put in an (empty) elevator shaft, reserve space for ramps inside and outside, create spacious bathrooms, install light switches in reachable height and so so on. Other disabilities may need other preparation that does not impact the value of the house now, but might help later on. – Raphael Jul 27 '12 at 6:04

Thank you for the clarification. – Reid Jul 28 '12 at 0:45

In a question like this, it would be useful to get answers both from teachers with esperience of noticing theese small signs, AND the former students who went through it themselves, maybe with the signs going unnoticed? What do you think? – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:37

I don't think affected students would be the best source for objective criteria; they would tend to put disproportionate focus on their own disability/disorder. On the other hand, students might not even know they have a problem; otherwise they should just approach the teacher. Also, I expect symptoms to be ambiguous. General criteria weighted by frequency and impact of the underlying condition would be needed. Simple example: "The student always sits in the first row, squinting or the student never copies from the blackboard, always from her neighbour -> suggest she has her eyes checked." – Raphael Jul 26 '12 at 6:04

Thanks for the example, that makes a bit more sense! I understand your point about students not realising it, but there are some conditions where current or former sufferers would have a very good idea, so don't rule them out completely, but, as I stated, that should probably be in addition to actual professional experiences of other teachers. – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 6:39

I like questions about reasonable adjustments and accommodating people's needs, but this question could really do with being more specific, maybe tailor it to an individual case or specify what learning disabilities? – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:33

I changed "Learning Disabilities" to "[learning disability]". I hope that makes it more specific. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 3:40

Thanks @Reid, that's a bit clearer! Is there any specific coniditions you think would most come up/most benefit discussing? – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 6:49

Personally I suffer from Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder, and ADHD inattentive type. However this question could be applied to any variety of learning disabilities (there are many) – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 22:48

Might the answers be more applicable to the OP if the reason for the spasm is mentioned? – Rhino Nov 30 '12 at 20:03

Really interesting question! When I saw it (not being in the US, so unfamiliar with the system), I had to go and loook the answer up! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:35

It's also problematic, because it's specific to a country. It can work, though. – Raphael Jul 26 '12 at 6:05

It's not problematic at all, as long as the person asking the question specifies where they are from and which system they are talking about! Where there are differences, it may even be possible to use tags to separate the systems. – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 6:47

Agreed, a specification to location must be made on almost any question dealing with regulations and laws. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 22:50

I am not sure what you are referring to. Instead of "YYYY", "WWWW" and "SSSS" you should put the meaning in brakets like -- Has someone already used [technique] to treat [syndrome name]? How have you dealt with [syndrome name] ? Also I believe that you have some spelling mistakes, and you should probably split this into two questions, and make the second question more specific. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 22:56

Sorry if my response seems a tad harsh, it is not meant that way, as I have difficulty spelling myself... – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 22:58

:) no problem at all – woliveirajr Jul 27 '12 at 12:33

I have a nerve injury which left my arm weak and I was told to go somewhere else to find a workout that would help with the problems. – Dave Apr 10 at 19:15

I know there's loads available, so maybe this question could be made a little more specific, maybe to a personal experience, as at the moment, this question would just be answered with a flat list of software packages! – Matthew Higgins Jul 26 '12 at 1:31

Good Point, I have edited the question to be more specific. – Reid Jul 26 '12 at 22:51