I went to a Special Needs conference several weeks ago where I heard a panel of people discuss how their diabiliies have been aided through the help of technology. Several of the people in the panel are actually students. They shared how technology helps them throughout their schoolwork and even in class.
One student who has a speech disability cannot articulate words clearly. It is difficult for his listeners to understand what he is saying. When he chose to take an elective class, the teacher told him he might want to reconsider. The student asked why. The teacher said that there were several presentations in the class and that he did not think that this student could do it.
Yikes!!! This student, Damien, proved him wrong. He presented over a powerpoint presentation and used all sorts of technological aids in his presentation. He typed out what he was saying in a Word document, and when the students in the class asked Damien questions, he simply responded in writing. Yes, this is accomodation, but he still met all the content qualifications for the presentation. He did it.
Obviously, as teachers, we should not tell a student with disabilities that they cannot do something. But also, we must look to ways that will help the students actual abilities and enhance those abilities. Technology is a great way to do this. I learned a lot from this story.
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Great story -- hope that you get a chance to share it with your classmates and it is a powerful message for all of us -- don't underestimate what we can do or what others can do. We all need encouragement to reach higher that we think we can go -- and a teacher's job is certainly to see potential in our students and provide the support for them to reach their potential.
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