Do me a favor.  Next time you drive your car move the seat as far back as possible and drive home.

I bet you won’t like it.  I’m certain you won’t be comfortable.

In the early days of automobile manufacturing, seats were affixed permanently in the car.

If you were fairly tall or fairly short, driving an automobile comfortably or maybe at all was not an option.

Manufacturers searching for a way to increase the customer base developed a very simple idea.  The adjustable seat.

The adjustable seat allowed almost anyone to comfortably drive an automobile.  It increased the customer pool and thus sold more cars.

Anytime you give customers better access and make the experience more comfortable, you will have better success.

If you apply this theory in the school classroom, you would call it an accommodation.  The automobile manufacturer provided an accommodation for potential owners who might be fairly tall or fairly short.  It made all the difference.

As educators, students are our customers.  We should provide the best access possible.  Students should feel comfortable taking the drive.

Sometimes we take exception to all of the accommodations our customers need to access the pedals and feel comfortable.  

Next time you say to yourself, “are all of these accommodations really necessary,” move your seat as far back as it will go and drive home.

Are your classroom seats adjustable?