Assistive Technology

Up until reading and viewing the resources for this week's assignment I have not actually heard  much of what is called assistive technology.  This isn't particularly surprising as I have not had any exposure to special education.  Assistive technology is simply using technology to assist someone, more specifically, people with disabilities.  

The amount of assistive technology that already exists is astounding!  It ranges from apps that help the color blind or dyslexic to voice activation for those who cannot speak.  It can also be as simple as physical devices used for young children develop fine or gross motor skills in order to catch up to their peers in the classroom.  It can also be a complex computer program connected in wearable technology, enabling a severely disabled person to become independently mobile and communicative.  This would completely open up and change the world for people who have access to this assistive technology.

The assistive technology is exciting for educational purposes because it can help students with specific learning disabilities who would not normally be able to perform calculations or stay in mainstream classrooms achieve that goal.  Assistive technology is also helpful for children who's first language is not the language that is spoken in the classroom.  There is no disability, just a communication block because of the language barrier.  There are simple tech solutions that can greatly aid these students to learn at grade level instruction and also learn the new language as well, without falling behind.  Assistive technology could tremendously help students overcome learning disabilities with the help of these specifically designed apps or programs.  It could definitely mean the difference between a student being able to compete in the academic world, attaining a college degree and enter a field previously beyond their reach.

The apps for learning disabilities, and the assistive technology for learning disabilities were quite interesting to read and hear about in the webinars.  I have more than a couple of children who could very much benefit from these technologies that I didn't even know exist even though I have sat in many meetings with teachers about their learning difficulties.  It gives me knowledge and direction and I hope to pursue solutions for my own children to help them to graduate high school and my new hope of a college graduation as well!