Assistive Technology = Dreams Becoming a Reality

           Assistive technology for students with disabilities does not simply help them manage with everyday life; it truly changes their lives to become independent, social and confident individuals.  In the video, Stem and People with Disabilities (2011), focused on Do-It programs that allow students with disabilities, both high school and college level, to use assistive technology for STEM academic programs and careers.  Students will disabilities that have the passion to contribute to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematical fields would be able to do so with the use of assistive technology.  Investing in this type of program will allow the students to participate in classroom activities, prepare them for the future, become more productive individuals, and will not impede them from any type of passion they desire to achieve. 

            Stem and People with Disabilities (2011) stated the recipe for success in STEM for individuals with disabilities are “academic preparation at an early age, self-advocacy, universal design of learning and work environments, and acceptance of themselves and acceptance by educators, employers and peers.”  

            Preparing a lesson plan for students with disabilities requires extensive research and background information of each student. Sensitivity and patience towards each of the individuals’ special needs is necessary to accomplish the goal of the learners.  It is essential to understand that each individual is different and teachers must consider revising lessons to accommodate every student.  Teachers need to think outside of the box and create lessons that can reach learners with disabilities. Additionally, the video stated that teachers should apply universal design principles for students who have disabilities.  For instance, according to a teacher from the video, Al Souma, provides various assessment options for his students to seek whether they understood the material (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology, 2011).

            With the use of assistive technology, accomplishing the instructions and/or lesson plans in class will be helpful to both student and teacher.  For instance, if a student has difficulty comprehending or utilizing written text books, audio books can be available to him through assistive technology.  The learner will be able to understand the lesson more effectively and the educator will be able to teach the lesson successfully.  Access to online educational tools for students with disabilities creates a more elaborate way of communicating with their peers and educators.  The opportunity to utilize these tools makes learning easier for the students and the lessons more fun and engaging for the learner.  Additionally, educators should be fully trained to handle any situation that may arise (e.g. troubleshooting or technical issues) while working with technology devices.

             Last school year, I had an autistic student whose IEP stated that he was required to use an individual iPad and special software to assist his learning in the classroom.  In addition to being a SPED student, he was also and English language learner.  Using his iPad, he was able to understand the lessons by using a translator app.  It also helped me, as his teacher, to communicate with him.  He had an opportunity to effectively learn each lesson following his Individualized Educational Program (IEP).  Joan Brasher (2013) stated, "iPad offers a more accessible, cheaper and more user-friendly way to help minimally verbal children with autism to communicate.  And, the iPad is far less stigmatizing for young people with autism who rely on them for communicating with fellow students, teachers and friends."  With assistive technology, dreams of special needs students could easily become a reality.

References

Brasher, J. (2013). iPads help late-speaking children with autism develop language. Research News
      at Vanderbilt University. Retrieved from http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2013/11/ipads-autism-language/

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology  (2011). Stem and people with disabilities.      [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=53