Accommodations for a Student With a Physical Disability in a Professional Physical Therapist Education Program

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Background and Purpose. Since 1973, the passage of federal laws and regulations has allowed increased access to education and employment for individuals with disabilities. Although the number of graduate and professional students with disabilities has not been reported, faculty in professional education programs must be prepared to address the needs of students with disabilities. The purpose of this case report is to describe the process used to determine reasonable accommodations and the modifications made in a professional physical therapist education program to enable participation by a student with a physical disability. Case Description. At the age of 17, the student in this case report sustained a Grade V spondylolisthesis. She subsequently underwent 4 surgeries to stabilize her spine. The student's most significant impairment was weakness in right ankle dorsiflexion, for which she wore an ankle foot orthosis. Because of the spine stabilization surgeries, at the time of admission to a physical therapist program, the student presented with functional limitations in standing, sitting, lifting, and bending. Accommodations were developed that enabled her to participate in classroom and clinical education activities. Outcomes. The student successfully completed all required academic and clinical coursework. She is now employed in the outpatient physical therapy department of an academic medical center where she works with patients with a wide variety of medical diagnoses. Discussion. The faculty faced many challenges while determining and implementing reasonable accommodations that allowed the student to participate in and complete the physical therapist education program. Many of the challenges arose because of physical therapists' concerns that an individual with impairments and functional limitations could not become a physical therapist and practice safely. This report challenges physical therapists to reconsider the requirements to become a capable practitioner. Key Words: Essential functions, Technical standards, Student with disabilities, Physical therapy education, Physical disabilities. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Since 1973, the passage of federal laws and regulations has increased access to higher education and employment for individuals with disabilities. In 2000,1 over 66,000 college freshmen reported having learning, sensory, or physical disabilities, and in the following year, 57% of undergraduates indicated that they were attending college to prepare for graduate or professional school. Although the number of graduate and professional students with disabilities has not been reported, faculty can expect students with disabilities to apply for professional education programs. Often, applicants to professional physical therapist education programs have been introduced to the profession through experiencing a personal injury. Therefore, such programs must be prepared to address the needs of students with physical disabilities. The purpose of this case report is to describe the process used to determine reasonable accommodations and the modifications made in a professional physical therapist education program to allow participation by a student with a physical disability. We also describe the challenges encountered and make recommendations for academic and clinical faculty facing similar situations. Literature Review The Rehabilitation Act of 1973(2) (Rehab Act) and the Americans With Disabilities Act3 of 1990 (ADA) have increased opportunities for students with disabilities. According to Section 504 of the Rehab Act, students cannot be denied access to education at any entity that receives federal funding because of a disability. The protections of the Rehab Act extend to programs offered jointly with entities outside the academic institution, such as clinical education sites. Education programs have the authority to establish technical standards, based on faculty expectations and program philosophy, that students must be able to complete during their professional education. …