In-service teachers and attention to students with physical disability: training, concerns and needs

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to delve into the training of an in-service Physical Education Teachers (PET) in schools where students with a physical disability attend, their concerns and needs, as well as the relationship with other professionals. The participants were 57 in-service teachers and 3 physiotherapists (PT). The data were gathered from questionnaires from all the teachers and an interview of 8 PET and 3 PT. The results indicate they need to improve their training, and, in varying degrees, in such areas as certain sports, learning tasks and curriculum adaptations. The study reveals PT ensure that exercises are conducted which benefit students with disability and not those types which are designed for non-disabled students. Furthermore, teachers’ perception of a lack of training results in feeling unable to deal with students with disability, and becoming dependent on the PT