Journal 10

"Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged" by Diane Curtis

While technology is a way of contributing to students learning, while making it easier, more convenient and funner all at the same time, for disabled bodies, technology is all this and more to them. For someone who is physically challenged, technology offers different resources that allow them to participate in school activities such as PE and a number of other school activities, by offering full mobility to those who have disabled bodies. Take, for example, Adrian, a young boy who is unable to walk, talk, or use any of his limbs. But after three years of trying to find a place on Adrian's body that would allow him to communicate with a computer and with the help of technology, he is now able to communicate with others through the movement that he is able to make with his eyebrows. And just like Adrian was given a second chance at communicating with the world around him through the use of technology, Niara who has cerebral palsy is also able to communicate with others through the use of speech generation technology, using her cheek to transmit signals for communicating. Assistive technology is sweeping our country as it is offering benefits to more students with disabilities, allowing disabled students to now do what their classmates have been doing for years. And numerous efforts are being made continually to ensure that there is inclusion of all disabled students in all school activities.

Questions:
1. Why is it important to continually make efforts to ensure that all disabled students are included in all activities?
Because every student is entitled to an education and all activities involved in their education, regardless of any setbacks they may have, whether it is mentally or physically. I think that everyone is capable of learning, because as long as they have the drive and determination to succeed in their education, they can learn anything and everything they want to. I do not think it matters if anyone has a physical or mental disability because everyone is entitled to have certain modifications in a classroom setting in order to meet their personal needs. Not everyone is going to learn the same way or at the same pace, for that matter, so we must try our best to attend to people's personal needs in order to ensure that they are getting only the best education that a school and or teacher has to offer.

2. Do you think it is important to know all the aspects of technology, such as the different ways in which people benefit from it?
Yes, because students should know that technology is more than just a way of making things easier for our own lives, but it is a tool that can assist in people's daily routines, for example, giving some the ability to be mobile. It's amazing to think how little most of us know about how dependent on technology some people can be, whether it is being dependent on a cell phone or being dependent on a wheelchair to be able to move around. Whatever the reason may be for the use of technology, we are all dependent on technology; however, I think we should know the extent to which we are all dependent on it, as it could allow us to see how some need it more than others, simply to do the things that most of us are able to do on our own, without the help of technology.