Wow - what a lot to absorb. Possibly the hardest thing to wrap my head around is that AT means not just computers, but ANY form of non-human support. Pencil grips sound far cooler when they are "scribing aids" as opposed to "those squishy pencil things".
The value of AT in a person's life must have far reaching effects, like the proverbial ripple from a pebble. If we only provide support in the school setting, what are we doing for the student as a whole person? How can we (ethically? morally?) not ensure that every family has the means to access the technology necessary outside of the school?
Literacy tools
7 years ago
2 comments:
Eileen,
I agree that it is critical to ensure that students have access to assistive technology across various settings. I am in a situation in my school right now where Resource teachers have been trained to use a word prediction software program and encouraged to train other teachers and students to use it, yet the software is only available on 2 computers in the school. It is essential that students have access to the technology in their classrooms and at home, as you mentioned.
P. White
I would agree that we need to look beyond the school when integrating the use of assistive technology and help families find ways to ensure that the same level of independence can be maintained out side of the classroom. It is important that what prepare our students for life after school,if not we have done them a disservice. I too amazed by the range of assistive technology. I have a student who has recently been diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome and the tool he now uses is a pair of lenses that clip over his glasses to filter out certain spectrums of light which are essentially distracting his brain.
K.Pinard
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