Students with a variety of physical needs may require adaptations to their school workspaces. The design and quality of workspaces can make a significant contribution or present a serious hindrance to their ability to learn and develop their potential. This is true both in regular classroom environments and other locations in schools. Students who need adapted school workspaces will likely continue to need adaptations in the workplace for work experience placements. The same principles and planning processes can be applied in a variety of educational settings including post secondary environments.
Students may need adapted workspaces in school so that they can gain access to optimal learning situations and the greatest benefit possible from educational programs. These adaptations can provide greater comfort and safety than traditional desks, tables, or chairs in classrooms. They can increase the quality of movement and posture, improve visual/motor functioning and sensory processing, and increase independence. A functional adapted workspace can also help a student develop social skills and appropriate behaviour.
School staff such as the classroom teacher may first notice clues that a student could need adaptations to the workspace. It may appear that the student
Students who need adapted school workspaces may be students with multiple disabilities, students with physical disabilities, students with visual impairments, students who are deaf or hard of hearing, or other students who require accommodations to optimize their learning and participation.