Assistive Technology Ultimately Benefits Entire Learning Community

Since living with a disability does not preclude a student from furthering his or her education, these deficits must be acknowledged and addressed.  Luckily, there are a number of technologies designed to help students with disabilities adjust to school life with the greatest measure of independence possible and also allow them to integrate as valuable members of the classroom community.  For students that suffer from dyslexia or other learning disabilities, electronic worksheets can be implemented.  These worksheets help students orientate themselves to the words, equations, and other items that encompass their assignments.  Moreover, some of these worksheets have a text-to-speech option, which allows for greater ease of obtaining information.  In addition to these worksheets, there is also phonetic spelling software, which converts the student’s typing into words that they can listen to after the class or lecture.

            For students who have conditions such as dyscalculia, the use of a talking calculator is of great benefit to them.  These calculators make it easier to read numbers, perform calculations, and review or check answers.  Most of us spend our undergraduate years dodging math, but a device like this can be a game changer for the types of degrees these individuals are willing to pursue.  For children who suffer from autism or other disabilities that cause them to struggle with social situations, assistive teachers can videotape various interactions.  The tapes can be used to highlight where the students engaged in positive exchanges and where they might need to improve in the future.  Any device that can create an environment in which disabled students feel included and productive and removes a sense of isolation should be invested in for the benefit of the entire learning community.

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