Tuesday 24 April 2012
Friday 6 April 2012
Opening New Doors With Assistive Technology
For a moment, take some time to ponder.
Think about the differences between people such as those who are disabled and
those without disabilities. If a person has a disability, does this set them
apart from others? Does this necessarily mean they are incapable of functioning
like normal individuals? Is there a way in which help can be provided to
individuals with disabilities? Today, with the use of technology, assistance
for those with disabilities is available through technological advances such as
assistive technology.
The National Center on Accessible
Information Technology in Education defines assistive technology as “technology
used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might
otherwise be difficult or impossible” (AccessIT, 2002). Assistive technology
includes devices which help individuals with disabilities that have difficulty
with speech, communication, household activities, and etc. For example, a blind
person may use software with text-to-voice capabilities, or a person with
speech impairments may use a computer device which helps them to project their
voice.
To many, technology is a major
advancement in today’s society – one widely accessible to us in order to
connect with others either near or across the miles. With technology, we can
complete homework assignments (sometimes without having to put pen to paper),
we can communicate through e-mail or through social networks such as Facebook,
Twitter, MySpace, and etc. Today, we can communicate with others without having
to be physically near one another. Therefore, because of these technological
advances and assistive technology, everyone is able to function. Although some
people may have disabilities, this does not set them apart from those who are
non-disabled.
According to Sheryl Burgstahler, Director
of the Do-It program at University of Washington stated that assistive
technology is progressing at the same rate as other technological advances in
the world. Although used in some schools, it is not implemented in others,
teachers and administrators are unaware, or it is not included in the planning
process. For students like Suzanna Martini, a sophomore at University of
Washington with cerebral palsy, “technology is all of those things and much
more – it’s a lifeline”. Suzanna says, “Assistive technology is a major
foundation of my life. Without it, I could not exist as I am today. Without a
computer, I cannot do homework, without a chair, I cannot get around, without a
phone, I cannot call for help”. Only a sophomore in college and Suzanna has
accomplished so much with the use of assistive technology. For example, she
referees soccer matches from her wheelchair and is able to complete classroom
assignments with voice-activated software (The George Lucas Educational
Foundation, 2005).
As part of the planning process, I
believe that educators must consider the needs of all students because every
child is unique and the teacher should have the student’s best interest in
mind. To effectively execute a lesson plan which meets the needs of all
students, the teacher needs to start by evaluating the strengths and weakness
of every student, acquire information pertaining to the students learning
abilities, and conduct research to find out what services are available for
students with disabilities. If the lesson plan needs revision, the teacher can
use the information based on each student to make modifications or they can
rely on the various styles of teaching. This would allow those with
disabilities to participate in school activities without the disregard of their
handicap.
In conclusion, Enabling Dreams sent a
very powerful and thought-provoking message. It opened my eyes to new doors– to
consider that there is more than one way to teach a child, despite the
differences. Assistive technology is a more than a technological advancement;
it is a lifeline and a way for students with disabilities to reach their
highest potential.
References:
AccessIT
(2002-2012). What is assistive
technology? Retrieved April 01, 2012, from AccessIT Home website: http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109
Images retrieved from the following sources:
http://www.edutopia.org/images/graphics/001300_81.jpg
http://schoolwaxtv.com/files/videos/image-cache/1731_third_375x280.jpeg
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