Using Assistive Technology to Help Students With Disabilites Succeed

Curtis, D. (2005, February 2). Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged. The George Lucas Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/assistivetechnology

Summary: This article discusses how assistive technology enables students with mobility disabilities to participate in class and school activities. The article begins by describing a student who does not have the use of his limbs but is able to move his eyebrows to communicate. A computer senses movement in his eyebrows and that triggers the computer cursor to move which illustrates what the student is trying to express. Another example of how students with disabilities succeed with assistive technology is a high school student with limited use of his arms and legs. This student decided he wanted to try playing an instrument. He chose a euphonium, and with his limited mobility he was only able to play one note. He waited patiently for the note to appear in the musical score and played it. A school employee sought out an instrument repairman who designed a euphonium with a joystick that electronically instructs the valves of the euphonium to move. With this technology, this student is able to succeed in band. This shows how advances in technology have made it possible for students with disabilities to succeed. With these advances in assistive technology, students with disabilities are able to attend and succeed in college and go onto careers. The article raises the concern of the high cost of assistive technology. However, the benefits of providing these students with the tools to learn and succeed outweigh the concern of cost.

Reaction: I really enjoyed this article and how it discussed the advances of assistive technology. Using assistive technology in the classroom promotes equitable education for the students. I agree that every school district should be responsible for finding and implementing whatever assistive technologies are necessary for students with disabilities to succeed. I also liked how this article incorporated assistive technology use in school activities, not just the classroom.  I think it is very important for all students to find hobbies that they enjoy, whether it is music, sports, writing, etc. One question that this article did not answer is if the students are able to take the assistive technology home or if they are only allowed to use it in school. I hope they are able to take it home because then the technology would help to student succeed in all aspects of life, not just school.