Class 2 Post

I am feeling frustrated and overwhelmed! Tonight, I watched a Webinar entitled "Physical Access to Mobile Devices" and my head is spinning from information overload. I had no idea there were so many devices, apps, and accompaniments available to help physically disabled people gain access to mobile devices. I am overwhelmed by all that is available and frustrated by my own ignorance in this area. I find myself reflecting about my past students as I wonder if I've overlooked the needs of any one of them due to my lack of knowledge of resources available.

This cartoon speaks well to the issue of the importance of knowing the AT options that are available for students:

I liked the way the Webinar presented various students, their challenges, and the solutions to those challenges. This method of presentation emphasized to me that it is important to assess each individual student when choosing AT to meet their needs. It helped me to keep focused on the fact that AT is for people, not for disabilities.

Here are some quotes by inspirational individuals who have a disability:

"As soon as people see that I can be independent, then they hold me to the standard that everyone else is".
-David A. Paterson - 55th governor of New York (David Paterson is legally blind)

"Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision".
-Stevie Wonder - singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and activist (Stevie Wonder is blind)

"We, the one's who are challenged, need to be heard. To be seen not as a disability, but as a person who has, and will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a handicap, but as a well intact human being".
-Robert M. Hensel - Guiness World Records holder for longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair covering 6.178 miles; Spokesperson for Athletes for Hope (Robert Hensel has spina bifida)

"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change".
-Stephen Hawking - theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author (Stephen Hawking has a progressive motor neuron disease and is now almost completely paralysed)


The final quote, by Stephen Hawking, especially resonates with me as I believe that the ability to adapt to change is becoming more and more important. The pace of change is ever-increasing and the ability to adapt and keep up will be crucial for students to be successful in the future.

This youtube video, entitled The Evolution of Technology and the Human Race makes this point: