I came across the following video on Assistive Technologies:
Assistive technologies provide persons with disabilities the possibility of overcoming barriers and live in a more inclusive society. Such technoligies often include IT equipment that improves or enhances a specific functional capability of the person using it. Examples include:
- Braille software, printers
- Text-to-voice, voice-to-text software
- Modified or adaptive keyboards, mice
- Hearing aids, video spectacles
- electronic organisers, graphic organisers
New developments-primarily in computer technology-have expanded the potential for improving interactions, independence, and quality of life for people with disabilities far beyond anything imagined before. In schools, technological advances may reduce the need for a substantially altered curriculum or teaching methods for some students. This could conceivably lead to a reduction in the number of students who need special instruction. Further, in some cases, students with severe disabilities may be able to participate more in mainstream schooling and interact with classmates and teachers in ways that were previously impossible. Most important, the use of appropriate assistive technology in the education process increases the potential for persons with disabilities to succeed in independent living and to engage in productive employment, as well as to enjoy an improved quality of life.
ReplyDeleteHowever, along with the positive aspects of assistive technology will come new issues and complicated questions. One important challenge posed by the growing use of assistive technology is the need for educators to stay abreast of new developments.
I think that if we spend our very limited resources on extremely expensive software-based technologies such as screen readers or virtual keyboards, as a result, very limited number of kids with disabilities get access to this technology, and when they do, they become dependent on software that their families and employers cannot afford.
ReplyDeleteAs regards hardware costs, the industry has made great leaps in reducing costs. Hardware costs of computers have dropped more than 80% of what the prices were fifteen years ago. So basically in order to help and give access to people with special needs especially in developing countries, this should be done by focusing on the software industry to bring prices to an acceptable level.
Thing is that we really need a strategy for this assistive technology business rather than the actual devices themselves. It does not solve any problem if only a few kids benefit from the assistive technology given to them, which in turn makes them dependent on it.
@ Christian Bajada
ReplyDeleteMost of these technologies are actually not much more expensive then the "normal" versions. Various software programs for persons with disabilities are available for download free of charge, since they are funded by non-profit organisations or through sponsorships. Also in a lot of cases rather than buying new hardware, existing hardware can be modified at little or no extra cost.
The most important part in all of this is the need of teachers to be trained to know what is available. In most cases the technology is there but few know that it exists.
I do agree about having the required training but what we also need are the resources to use such technology in classes. Such resources are to be readily available for students if we are to implement MCAST's vision of inclusion. This is especially true when we keep on increasing the number of learners within each classroom and having such mixed ability classes.
ReplyDelete@ Audrey
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of a vicious cycle really. We need the resources; at MCAST we are often the ones who advice the director on what resources are needed. But do we know what resources to ask for?
I understand that what we ask for, takes considerable time to come, if it ever does come. However if we do not know what we need, how will we ask for it? That is why in my intitial post I emphasised on the need of training staff. In this area there are so many developments that it is hard to keep abreast with what is available. If the teachers are unaware of what technology is available, they will not understand what they need and they will not make management aware of this need.
Hence the need for training of staff on assistive technologies.
Assistive technology can be broadly conceptualized as any technology with the potential to enhance the performance of persons with disabilities. As defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, assistive technology is "any item, piece of equipment, or product system ... that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities".
ReplyDeleteAssistive technology offers a wide range of alternatives. It includes both "low" technologies and "high"-tech devices and it incorporates technologies designed specifically for people with disabilities as well as generic technologies developed for use by the general public.
It is a mistake to think too narrowly about assistive technology; the entire technology spectrum holds promise for individuals with learning disabilities. Although computers are the technology most often associated with this population, there are many other potentially valuable tools available. For example, long before the arrival of computers in classrooms, teachers used simple, low-tech devices such as rulers to help students with learning disabilities keep their place while reading.
Off-the-shelf technologies designed for general audiences also merit consideration. For example, an audiotape recorder becomes an assistive technology when it is used by a person with learning disabilities to compensate for memory problems. In addition, technologies designed for other groups of persons with disabilities should not be ignored (e.g., technologies that help persons with vision impairments to circumvent the barriers imposed by print).
Furthermore, the use of Assistive Technology has several fundamental benefits for students with special needs, as follows:
ReplyDelete*allows the majority of students with disabilities to regularly attend lessons in class;
*reduces dependencies on others;
*benefits health in infants with special needs.
Additional resource: http://www.rehabtool.com