Technology is a crazy, scary and awesome thing. It is scary on what some devices can do now and what people are saying technology will be able to do in the future. We went from Johannes Gutenberg's movable type with the printing press in the time of the Italian Renaissance to computers speaking for people by that person simply looking at a picture and a camera seeing what that persons eyes are looking at. Technology helps in so many ways in the education fields, but the biggest impact it probably has is for those students who have disabilities. Students who have learning disabilities, to student who are non verbal or who have down-syndrome, are physically handicapped or are mentally handicapped can use various amounts of different technologies to help them succeed in school and education and help them participate in ways that they might not be able to if they didn't have the use of some the technological devices that are out today.
Students who have cerebral palsy have had some sort of damage to a part of their brain which had led them to have problems with muscle coordination and body movement. Their condition can cause muscle tightness and spasms and can also lead to problems with speech. Not having the power to speak can make school and education very difficult for student with cerebral palsy. That is why the invention of the dynavox has been so important for the students who are don't have the power to speak. People with cerebral palsy often have a difficult time communicating simple personal needs, let alone participate in a classroom discussion or simply answer the teachers question.The dynavox uses a path finder which allows the student to simply look at a picture on a screen and the computer speaks for him or her. It can also be used to write emails, communicate with other students and teachers and answer assignments. If the staff, school and district find it necessary for student to succeed it will be put on their IEP then go through the insurance process then that school or district will get the funding to provide it for the student so that they can succeed in school.
Students who are visually impaired or blind could find it very difficult to succeed in school. Unless they go to a "special" school for their impairment, everything in most school is very visual. Even in schools for the blind or deaf, all the sign, posters or boards are bright and colorful, but have braille so that those who are visually impaired can read what the sign says. One awesome piece of technology that those who are visually impaired may use is the Mount Batten. It resembles an old school type writer. The student would press different keys that are numbered and the device would say out loud what the student typed, producing a paper with braille. Many of these machines are provided by the district for as long as the student needs it. Another device that students who are visually impaired might find helpful in school are tablets or smart boards. The keys and icons on these devices are typically larger and easier to see for those who are visually impaired.
There are many limitations to students in school and education who have physical disabilities. Their disability may leave them with limited or no use of their limbs, so writing an answer to a question on a test, or typing a research paper could be difficult or unattainable all together. Some may be able to use laptops to participate in school and class discussions. Some students with physical disabilities like to participate in an array of school activities and don't want to be limited by their handicap. Like playing a musical instrument. Adaptations can be made to many musical instruments so that students who may not have full movement or use of their limbs can play things like the piano or a horn. A simple joystick that controls and triggers the valves of a horn can help a student who may have partial use of a limb.
It is with devices and technology like this that help students participate and succeed in school, who may not be able to otherwise.
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