Intern Abilities Profile - Ken D.

Intern Abilities Profile

Intern background / history:

Ken is a junior in college. He is outgoing. He likes to work without much assistance and is independent in most situtations. He needs assistance for lab-oriented teaching experiences. Special effort should be placed on providing a good room orientation as Ken is blind and uses a cane for mobility. He reads Braille.

Task/Assignment:

Actively participating in a student teaching practicum.

Equipment: (Job equipment, protective clothing, chemicals)

Equipment needs to provide speech output for his computer. Also provide Braille markers on files and storage drawers.

Environment: (fumes, odors, dust, temperature, noise, group-work)

Working in a group is a good strategy as long as group members help maximize Ken's participation.

Physical Challenges

  1. Other: Physical orientation.

Accommodations Needed

  • A thorough classroom / school facility orientation should be conducted including all safety aspects of the facility. Emergency evacuation should be addressed.
  • Classroom layout should remain constant.
  • Work area should be uncluttered.

Options and Resources

  • Vision specialist for access and mobility concerns. Contact State Department of Services for the Blind.
  • Talk with student teacher about school layout and emergency procedures.

Sensory Challenges

  1. Blind.

Accommodations Needed

  • Provide Braille labels on equipment drawers.
  • Provide good verbal descriptions of visual objects.
  • Team with a responsible teacher.
  • Give extra time to complete job assignments due to slower Braille reading speed.
  • Provide assistance with some manipulatives.
  • Provide computer with Braille and speech output.

Options and Resources

  • Talk with student teacher about best accommodations for specific activities.
  • Work with computer specialist to adapt computer to meet vision needs.

Cognitive Challenges

Not applicable.

Accommodations Needed

Not applicable.

Options and Resources

Not applicable.

Physical, Sensory, & Cognitive Issues and Challenges

Physical Issues

Think of the required physical aspects of the task. What will make the environment accessible, keep the student safe and allow them to be an active participant? What lab equipment must be manipulated?

Physical Challenges

  1. lift / carry
  2. stamina/ endurance
  3. push/pull
  4. Knee/squat
  5. reach
  6. repetitive tasks
  7. fine motor: pinch / grasp
  8. fine motor: manipulate/ maneuver
  9. gross motor
  10. sit in chair
  11. walk / stand
  12. balance
  13. bend / twist
  14. stoop / crouch
  15. other

Sensory Issues

Think of room temperature, noise, fumes, dust, odors, allergies. Also consider the ability to speak and/or communicate, and the visual aspects of task or assignments.

Sensory Challenges

  1. vision
  2. hearing
  3. touch
  4. smell
  5. taste
  6. oral communication
  7. temperature
  8. fumes
  9. external stimuli
  10. lighting
  11. other

Cognitive Issues

Is the assignment done with a group, partner or individually? What memory & communication skills are needed? What is the level of complexity of the task.

Cognitive Challenges

  1. short term memory
  2. long term memory
  3. task complexity
  4. reading
  5. writing
  6. spelling
  7. string of numbers (math)
  8. paying attention
  9. visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner
  10. self-esteem / advocacy issues
  11. behavior issues / acting out
  12. other