Special Ed Teacher Sees How Flexible Classroom Design Helps All Learners

By Alicia Springer, M.Ed.

In this series from classroom furniture manufacturer Artcobell, we review strategies for thoughtful classroom design from the perspectives of various stakeholders. In part one, an educator shared how basic design principles can benefit all learners, in part two, an occupational therapist provided input, and in part three, a speech pathologist explained how classroom design gives every student a voice.

Here, in this final installment, we hear from Holly Light, RN, a special education teacher with extensive knowledge in orthopedic impairments. The following has been adapted and condensed from the original article.

As we conclude this series on flexible classroom design, it’s essential to ground design principles in lived experience. Holly Light, a nurse and itinerant teacher of students with orthopedic impairments (OI), brings more than 27 years of experience across general education, special day classes, and early childhood through transition-age settings. Her work centers on one core principle: access.

“A lot of the focus for OI is accessibility for the student,” Holly explains. “And that’s broad—it covers a wide variety of things.” Considering mobility, communication, and cognitive support, she has seen firsthand how classroom design can either remove barriers or unintentionally create them—reinforcing that classroom flexibility must be thoughtfully integrated.

Making Room for Movement

Classroom layout significantly affects students who rely on cognitive and physical supports, and space is often the most limiting factor. Many students with orthopedic impairments use wheelchairs, walkers, gait trainers, or quad canes, making clear pathways and generous circulation essential, especially in classrooms where students move between stations.

“You can’t have everything just where the student is,” Holly notes. “Keeping them in one place never works.” Designing for movement means anticipating how students will navigate the room, not simply fitting furniture into a floor plan.

Technology adds complexity. Interactive tools like smartboards offer instructional benefits, but mounted boards can limit access for students who need adjustable heights, while mobile boards require additional clearance for safe interaction. Without careful planning, tools meant to support learning can unintentionally restrict it.

Thoughtful Placement

Cognitive supports are central to learning, but their effectiveness depends on placement. Poor positioning can turn simple tasks into physical strain for students with limited strength or reach. “For a lot of my students, communication support is integral to education,” Holly says.

Some communication devices are mounted to wheelchairs; others require work surfaces. Standard desks often fall short and require Holly to use larger tables or wheelchair-accessible desks for visual timers, tablets, calculators, and similar tools.

Adjustable furniture is critical. “I love furniture that can be easily height-adjusted,” she says, noting that mobility allows spaces to adapt to changing needs. She also cautions against visual overload, as too much environmental print can negatively affect focus and cognitive progress.

Supporting Independence Without Distraction

Storage is often overlooked but essential to accessibility and independence. Many adaptive tables lack usable storage, while thoughtful options reduce clutter, support focus, and encourage responsibility. Holly favors open, front-facing storage over under-desk compartments, which are difficult to access.

Listen to the Experts in the Room

Holly reinforces a key message from this series: Effective classroom design begins by listening to educators who understand how students use the space.

“Kids with the biggest challenges to cognitive access are often the same kids who have mobility issues,” she says. When design supports movement, flexibility, and access, it supports learning—for everyone.

As learning environments continue to evolve, voices like Holly’s remind us that inclusive design isn’t about adding more—it’s about designing smarter.