Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Assistive Technology
"Locked in syndrome" is the inability to fully speak or function. My father had this as a result of a stroke so technology was the way out for him. Assistive Technology, an article by Diane Curtis shares a story about how one with a disability can benefit from technology.
Adrian can't walk or speak or use any of his limbs. But the 11-year-old can control the movement of his eyebrows, and so, amazingly, he can communicate.
"It took us three years," says Adrian's teacher, George Rehmet, of the amount of time they spent trying to locate a place on Adrian's body that would allow him to communicate with using a computer. This particular computer has pictures tailored especially for Adrian: photographs or pictures of friends and family, including his baby sister, Alexis, and pictures or words depicting situations or events he would like to write about, such as the weather, trips with family, and meal preferences.
As educators, we should share with our students that everyone can benefit from technology. They may have family members who are disabled or they themselves may need assistance in schools. There's so much available we have to be the mouth pieces for the people who need them.
I linked to this article from another helpful resource Technology Information Centers for Administrative Leadership (TICAL)out of Santa Cruz.
Adrian can't walk or speak or use any of his limbs. But the 11-year-old can control the movement of his eyebrows, and so, amazingly, he can communicate.
"It took us three years," says Adrian's teacher, George Rehmet, of the amount of time they spent trying to locate a place on Adrian's body that would allow him to communicate with using a computer. This particular computer has pictures tailored especially for Adrian: photographs or pictures of friends and family, including his baby sister, Alexis, and pictures or words depicting situations or events he would like to write about, such as the weather, trips with family, and meal preferences.
As educators, we should share with our students that everyone can benefit from technology. They may have family members who are disabled or they themselves may need assistance in schools. There's so much available we have to be the mouth pieces for the people who need them.
I linked to this article from another helpful resource Technology Information Centers for Administrative Leadership (TICAL)out of Santa Cruz.
# posted by Mrs.Bowllan @ 9:12 AM 
