Equal Access to the Digital World!

Equal Access to the Digital World!

     We are fortunate to be living in a time where teachers can promote equal learning of all students through the use of technology. In my opinion, the term "equal access to the digital world" implies that all students have a more equal access to a successful education through the digital world. There is a wide variety of tools available to assist students with disabilities in communication and learning.

     The video found by clicking here explains many assistive technologies for students who need help communicating. Some of the tools mentioned are: 

• We sign- sign language used by all students in class; Helps students benefit from visual cues
• Partner four- Made up of 4 blocks students touch to communicate
• Seven-level communicator- Helps students re-tell stories
• Story has velco with pictures to take on and off
• The communicator has a screen with word-maker pictures from story
• Students touch picture and go through whole story
• Step-by-step communicator- allows students to engage in conversations by pushing a button that has been programmed with an answer to a question the teacher asks
• Has a limitless range!
• Teacher can send home questions about students'  day at school, students press button and "tell about day at school!"
• Parent can also program answers so teacher can have conversations with the student
• Big-mac switch- Handles one message
• For teaching language skills and cause effect
• Good for people with low arm-mobility (Weibellk, 2008). 

These assistive technologies help students communicate their wants, gives them choices for activities, and gives control and power to be in charge of their education and help them feel like they're communicating. Assistive technologies help students have a more equal access  to education.

It is important that teachers promote learning for all students. There are many laws put in place which protect individuals with learning disabilities, which can be found in detail by clicking here. For example:

• IDEA is the main federal program which authorizes state and local aid for special education children
• ADAAA (Americans with Disabilities and Ammendments Act) & Section 504 of the rehabilitation act help improve access to accommodations for students with learning disabilities
• ESEA (Elementary & Secondary Education Act) / NCLB  (No Child Left Behind) challenges states and districts to improve student academic achievement (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2014). 

These laws are put into place to assure that students receive equal opportunities to succeed. Assistive technologies are available to help students with disabilities in achieving equal access to the digital world!


References:

Weibellk. (Performer). (2008, March 07). Assistive technology [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://videos.disabled-world.com/video/29/assistive-technology-in-the-classroom

National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2014). Federal laws & learning disabilities- ncld. Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/learn-ld-laws?gclid=COq_kov5j70CFa1j7AodHhIAVA