Teaching students with disability in laboratories and workshops can present some challenges. The best place to start is to discuss with the student their learning needs and agree on the adjustments to the course that are required.
For example, one strategy for a blind student could be provision of a laboratory assistant (possibly a student familiar with the subject matter) who is able to describe the environment to the student and follow instructions of the blind or vision-impaired student in any task which might compromise their safety, or simply be present to monitor the student’s safety.
Some staff members are concerned that the presence of disability in the classroom somehow increases the risk of accidents, or of being sued for negligence. This stems from the incorrect assumption that the safety record of people with disability is poorer in comparison to those without. Disability does not pose an inherent safety risk. However, you have a
responsibility to ensure the health and safety of your students are
protected.