In today’s age, technology has
become so common both inside and outside of the classroom. Generally to
educators and students, technology may include a computer, projector, smart
phone, the Internet, educational online games, web conferencing tools, and software
programs, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, among many other
things. Although these technology tools are common, as an educator of a
mainstream classroom, some technology tools are less known that would
benefit our students with disabilities. Assistive technology (AT) includes
equipment, such as devices, or services that help compensate for an
individual’s disability (Smith & Tyler, 2010). Through the
use of AT, students are able to gain independence inside and outside of the
classroom.
 |
| Susanna Sweeney-Martini |
A goal for any student, with or
without disabilities, is to learn the skills and know how to access tools and
resources in order to live independently. Since students with disabilities face
more challenges in their everyday lives, AT can assist students in gaining
independence inside the classroom. In terms of a class lesson, AT could be used
as an accommodation for students who face hearing, communication, and writing
challenges. For example, a student with a hearing problem can gain independence
in their learning by having an FM transmission placed on their desk instead of
relying on a nearby classmate to inform him or her what the teacher is saying.
In the video
Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams (2010), a student uses his identified switch site (his eyebrows) in
order to communicate to a computer what he wants the computer to communicate to
those around him. Another example of the use of AT in this video is when
Susanna Sweeney-Martini shares that she uses a computer and voice recognition
software program in order to write her college essays. Susanna shares,
“Assistive technology is the major foundation of my life. Without it I could
not exist as I am today” (Edutopia, 2010). The use of AT to assist students in
the areas of hearing, communicating and writing is a very small set of examples
of the opportunities AT offers for students with disabilities in the classroom.
It is apparent though that for these particular barriers discussed, AT has
allowed Susanna Sweeney-Martini as well as many other students to be as
independent as they possibly can be in the classroom.
 |
| Lukas Bratcher |
Another goal for any student, but
specifically students with disabilities, is to assist them in finding their
purpose in life when
they graduate from high school or from an institute of
higher education. This may include equipping and preparing students with the
correct AT to allow for independence in their daily lives or workplace or using
an AT to help them find their passion. Although it may not seem technological,
adjustments in the workplace for a person who uses a wheelchair, such as
Susanna, may include the ability to adjust her desk in her work area to allow
her wheelchair to flow in and out. This would be a small service in her
workplace that would allow her to work independently and comfortably. Lukas
Bratcher, another student featured in
Assistive
Technology: Enabling Dreams (2010), is a prime example of how an AT, an
adjustment to his musical instrument, has allowed him to develop and feed his
passion for music. This AT has opened a door for Lukas not just to
independently explore his passion, but also the opportunity to make a future
career out of his passion, such as offering music lessons. AT is not restricted
for just the classroom. It is also necessary outside of the classroom for
students to gain independence, whether it is finding a job or finding their
passion.
More than ever are we pushing our
students with disabilities to live as much of an independent life as they
possibly can. AT allows them to do so both inside and outside of the classroom.
A girl with Cerebral Palsy using an AT to assist her in standing by herself one
minute longer than she did before is one step towards her independence just as
Susanna uses a recording software program on her computer to assist her in
writing her latest college essay. Just as the degree of independence an AT
offers a student varies as each student’s needs and degree of disability
varies, it is clear to see that AT allows all students the opportunity to be
one step closer towards independence.
 |
| GSAT provides assistive technology–related services to the Guam
community to help children and adults with disabilities live
productive, independent, and quality lives. |
References
Smith, D. D., & Tyler, N. C.
(2010). Introduction to special education: Making a difference. Upper
Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Edutopia. (2010,
July 28). Assistive technology: Enabling
dreams [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video
Hi:
ReplyDeleteExcellent essay
-j-