Ergonomics

What are they?

Ergonomically designed equipment is often considered when back pain, strain injuries or posture difficulties occur, but it covers much more than just seating. It should be considered a part of the technologies offered to students to enhance their ability to study in comfort. Adjustable chairs, tables, book and copy holders, foot, arm and mouse or wrist rests are available, along with specialist back rests and wedges, not forgetting monitor raisers, glare filters and lighting.

How are they used?

When setting up any teaching area, and in particular private study areas such as libraries, laboratories, workshops and art rooms, it is important to think about the ergonomics in the widest sense.

Chairs should be available to suit students of all heights and sizes and should offer good support. Stools in laboratories can be impossible to sit on for some students. All areas need to be wheelchair accessible, and table height should be adjustable where possible.

In computer labs lighting can affect the way people cope with the screens. Task lights are useful as they can be directed away from the screen and onto papers. Copyholders can help when tracking text while typing; various rests add comfort and support, aiding concentration and attention during workshops.

Any issues to be aware of?

Ergonomic furniture can take up more space and may not stack easily. Adjustable tables tend to be designed for individual use. The lighting in a room is often set up long before visual issues were considered.

Flickering or glare tend to be most noticeable on cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. However, some thin film transistor (TFT) screens are not as sharp as might be needed for graphics work. They may not suit those with a visual difficulty who wish to reduce the resolution in order to increase the size of screen elements.

Many items are portable and some computer accessories such as armrests, mouse and wrist rests may disappear over time. Lockable storage space may be required, along with an inventory of items and possibly a loan system.

1. Inclusive teaching
2. Universal Design for Learning
3. Preparing to teach inclusively
4. Sustaining self-esteem and motivation
5. Barriers to learning
6. Specialist support staff
7. Assistive technologies
   1. Braille and tactile technologies
   2. Calculators, time and measurement equipment
   3. Communication devices
   4. Electronic note takers
   5. Ergonomics
   6. Keyboard and mouse options
   7. Listening devices and loop systems
   8. Magnification aids
   9. Reading technologies
   10. Recording devices
   11. Reference software: Dictionary and thesaurus
   12. Scanning and reading devices
   13. Writing aids
8. Learning environments
9. Learning materials
10. Academic assessment