For an ESE student in a wheelchair aiming to independently turn on a light switch, what strategy can be employed?

• A. Provide alternatives like battery-operated lights.
• B. Teach the student to ask for help.
• C. Provide her with an extended hand tool for practice.
• D. Change lighting fixtures to a lower position.

Answer: (C)

The most effective strategy to help an ESE student in a wheelchair independently turn on a light switch is to provide her with an extended hand tool for practice. This approach empowers the student by facilitating access to the light switch without needing to change the environment or rely on others for assistance.

An extended hand tool can be designed to give the student the reach necessary to operate the switch, promoting independence and fostering self-efficacy. By using this tool, the student can practice and develop the necessary motor skills and coordination to activate the switch on her own. This method encourages active engagement and autonomy, which are crucial elements in special education settings.

Other options, while they may have their merits in certain contexts, do not focus on enhancing the student's ability to independently complete the task. For instance, providing alternatives like battery-operated lights may create a workaround but doesn't develop the skills needed to engage with standard light switches. Teaching the student to ask for help fosters dependence rather than independence, and changing lighting fixtures to a lower position, although it may make them more accessible, doesn't provide the student with tools to manage the situation independently.