source: http://techemergence.6pt2ple0ha5k4gsbf1.netdna-cdn.com/
Every day each one of you use some kind of technology, whether it be a computer, a phone, or a television. Using these devices come very easy to you, for example, you can unlock your phone without even thinking about the numbers you are typing in for your passcode. But, unfortunately, there are kids our age that struggle with simple tasks like "sliding to unlock" their phone. There are students across the globe who struggle to type on an ordinary computer keyboard due to a physical disability they may have.
In the article from the Future of Children Organization, Use of Computer Technology to Help Students with Special Needs by Ted S. Hasselbring and Candyce H.Williams Glaser, they tell the readers about the different types of technology available to a student with special needs and how it makes their lives easier in the learning environment. It is unfair for these students to be at an even greater disadvantage than everyone else. With that being said, there is technology available for those who are unable to succeed with the same computers or iPhones as ordinary students in order to help them get the best education possible.
“Approximately one of six students in schools across the United States cannot benefit fully from a traditional educational program because they have a disability that impairs their ability to participate in classroom activities." This is a mind-blowing fact to read. There are students that surround you that are unable to participate similarly to you in the classroom. Most students do not even realize what a disadvantage these people are at. It is most definitely unfair for students who have specials needs to be unable to participate with the class lesson even if they would like to. It is not like one in every five classes there is someone with a disability, but one in every six students! This is a large chunk of the population of students that do not deserve unfair standards.
“Technology has proven to be an effective method of giving such students opportunities to engage in basic drill and practice, simulations, exploratory, or communication activities that are matched to their individual needs and abilities.” Since it is more common to hear about the newest laptops available in the classroom than a special monitor for certain disabilities, it is great to know that the advancements in these certain technologies are being beneficial to the students.
“Technology has proven to be an effective method of giving such students opportunities to engage in basic drill and practice, simulations, exploratory, or communication activities that are matched to their individual needs and abilities.” Since it is more common to hear about the newest laptops available in the classroom than a special monitor for certain disabilities, it is great to know that the advancements in these certain technologies are being beneficial to the students.
So, let's talk devices and services.
What exactly are the types of technology that are being provided to the disabled students? For example, there is something called “descriptive video services (DVS), which provide narrative verbal descriptions of visual elements, have proven useful in helping students who are blind or have low vision to use educational programs in regular classrooms.” The benefit of this is normalizing these students to the rest of society to minimize the "outcast" aspect of their lives. If visually impaired students are now being able to "see" what is going on, then these students are going to feel more comfortable in the environment with other students who are not visually impaired.
In addition to DVS, there are also advances for those who are physically disabled. There are "basic keyboard adaptations that assist physically disabled students to use computers include replacing standard keys with larger keys that are easier to see and touch, reducing the number of keys on the keyboard, placing letter keys in alphabetical order, and providing keys that are brightly colored and easy to read.” Types of advances like these keyboard adaptations are remarkable due to the possible strides that special needs student would take. Students now are becoming more comfortable with computers because of the helpful color-coded keys. This is causing the retention these students can possess when they, if possible, transfer over to regular computer keyboards.
What exactly are the types of technology that are being provided to the disabled students? For example, there is something called “descriptive video services (DVS), which provide narrative verbal descriptions of visual elements, have proven useful in helping students who are blind or have low vision to use educational programs in regular classrooms.” The benefit of this is normalizing these students to the rest of society to minimize the "outcast" aspect of their lives. If visually impaired students are now being able to "see" what is going on, then these students are going to feel more comfortable in the environment with other students who are not visually impaired.
In addition to DVS, there are also advances for those who are physically disabled. There are "basic keyboard adaptations that assist physically disabled students to use computers include replacing standard keys with larger keys that are easier to see and touch, reducing the number of keys on the keyboard, placing letter keys in alphabetical order, and providing keys that are brightly colored and easy to read.” Types of advances like these keyboard adaptations are remarkable due to the possible strides that special needs student would take. Students now are becoming more comfortable with computers because of the helpful color-coded keys. This is causing the retention these students can possess when they, if possible, transfer over to regular computer keyboards.
What type of bigger and better technologies do we expect in the future to accommodate students with special needs?
Is it possible for technology to eliminate certain academic challenges that these students may face?
What are technology companies doing to benefit the disabled students?
