You show respect and how it isn’t an issue for you, then the students will follow. I would be open about it with your classes and go for it. Good luck!
I got a response from someone with more detail; here it is:
“This is more as a reply to the physically disabled person who was questioning their ability to be an effective teacher. I am presently studying to become a teacher as a hard-of-hearing person who wears visible hearing aids. I just completed my third practicum session, and I can say from experience that I now view disability in a teacher as more an asset than a detriment in teaching. My students with disabilities were always profoundly impacted by having a successful adult role model around.
“My students without disabilities were typically very respectful, and I think that it benefited them to be exposed to a disabled person that they were unable to view as incompetent or less-than an able-bodied one. I won’t lie, there was some rude comments, but I found that by addressing those who said things in person, and encouraging them to examine the root of their assumptions, attitudes were changed. 100% worth the initial hurt feelings.”
Thank you! 🙂 Keep being awesome, teachers!
Teaching In Real Life 