Fair means that you get what you need. What you want may not be what you need. A want and a need are not identical. The philosophy a teacher, student, parent, or administrator has about fairness has significant impact on the adaptations chosen to meet the learning needs of students. Most of us act upon our own philosophies of fairness as we work with students of various abilities.
Some professionals feel it is unfair to treat any student differently.
Others believe that students' unique needs must be considered and that everyone doesn't have to be treated the same. Some adaptations are commonplace and universally accepted as fair in our society for people with disabilities. Glasses, contact lenses, and seeing-eye dogs are accepted adaptations for people with visual disabilities. Hearing aids, telephone volume control, captioned television programs, and signers at national political conventions are taken for granted. Elevators, motorized wheelchairs, walkers, and canes are accepted assistive equipment for people with limited mobility.