Reaching Students Through Assistive Technology

     In our world, there are many students and individuals that have certain disabilities that leave them unable to live their lives as a "normal" human being would. They are often overlooked and pushed to the side when it comes to academics and extra-curricular activities. This is because the people in our society today think that individuals with disabilities cannot accomplish what everyone else can. That is the first mistake that people make. The next mistake is that schools and classrooms are not often equipped with the proper tools and assistance needed to help those with disabilities. Our world is evolving, and so is technology. With all these advances in technology, I want to help bring awareness of the lack of assistance there is for students with disabilities. 

     Today, technology is often incorporated into the classroom, in various lessons and activities. The age that we are now in is a technological age. Educators use technology to engage the students in what they're learning, so why not use it to help those in need? There are different tools and technology capable of assisting students with certain disabilities, but not many schools are educated on them, nor do they find the need to incorporate assistive technology into their curriculum. In the video "Stem and People with Disabilities," it shows the lives of different individuals who have disabilities, but have a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs. This video encapsulates how important it is for all individuals to have an opportunity to chase their dreams. 

     Students with disabilities have wants, needs, and even dreams, as all other human beings do. According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, "assistive technology enables students with disabilities to compensate for certain impairments" ("How does Rehabilitative Technology Benefit People with Disabilities?" par. 2) Educators have a role in the growth and development of every individual in their care. Something as simple as modifying a lesson to fit the needs of all students can benefit those with disabilities. The video emphasized the importance of communication between the educator and the individual. If the teacher knows what exactly the student needs in order to succeed, they both can come to an agreement on how to achieve success. For students with disabilities, "the key to success in the classroom lies in having appropriate adaptations, accommodations, and modifications made to the instruction and other classroom activities" ("Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students," par.1).

     My goal, after attaining my teaching certification, is to teach children with special needs. Despite the challenge that comes with this career, I believe the reward is bigger. As a teacher, I want to give my students their individual voices, and that is no exception for those with special needs. Many times, society tells these children that they are not good enough, or that they are not normal, and they grow up believing that they are not capable of fulfilling their dreams because of their disabilities. If I have the opportunity to help just one student with a disability overcome these negative stereotypes and achieve what is believed to be impossible, every effort towards my teaching degree would be made worth it. After completing ED110 Intro to Teaching, it has helped me to see how important it is to let disabled children interact with their “normal” peers. Being in a traditional classroom setting helps these students to grow and to experience what life is like, instead of being secluded. I have always imagined teaching my special ed students in a classroom of my own, but I never once thought about the fact that they should be in a traditional class setting. With the knowledge I have now, I plan on incorporating assistive technology into everything that I do, to benefit not one, but all of my students. 

References:

"How Does Rehabilitative Technology Benefit People with Disabilities?" Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Human and Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/help.

"Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students." Center for Parent Information and Resources, 8 Feb 2017, www.parentcenterhub.org/accommodations/.