Assistive Technology and Equitable Access
This Webpage focuses on two topics of discussion; assistive technology and equitable access. You will be provided with a definition of each along with resources. These resources will provided knowledge of each that can be used in your classroom.
What is Assistive Technologies?
According to the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, "Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system - whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf, modified, or customized - used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." In other words, assistive technology provides digital equality to those with disabilities. In many classes, there are students who have disabilities that requires these assistive technologies. It is our duty as a teacher and digtial citizen to provide a safe, equal learning environment.
How are Assistive Technologies being used?
At St. Georges Technical High School, I created a survey for teachers about assistive technology. I wanted an overview of the staff's knowledge on the use of assistive technology. The survey given can be seen here. Overall, I was surprised with the results of the survey. Many teachers, other than the learning support coaches, had no idea what assistive technologies were, if they are being used in their classroom, and how they are being used. For example, one teacher wrote that they have a student who uses text-to-speech software but they do not know how to use it because the learning coach is always there to help the student set up and use the software. Teachers need to realize that this is one of our responsibilities as a teacher. If a learning coach is not present one day, we as teachers need to know how to properly assist each student. To achieve this and improve the staffs knowledge, resources are given below providing information on assistive technologies.
This video provides information on what assistive technology is and the tools available for students with a disability.
This video provides information on what assistive technology is available. It also shows success stories of those with disabilities using assistive technology.
Additional Links to Resources
Links to Free Software - This Website provides free downloads for different text-to-speech software. To learn more about the software, simply download it and explore its capabilities!
Low Vision Products - This Website provides assistive technology that can be used for those with vision impairments.
DATI - This Website is the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative. It provides information on what assistive technology is and the different types of assistive technology that can be used.
Microsoft Accessibility - This Website provides the available accessibility options on Windows 7. It thoroughly explains what is available and how to use each one. In addition, it provides information on additional assistive technologies.
Low Vision Products - This Website provides assistive technology that can be used for those with vision impairments.
DATI - This Website is the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative. It provides information on what assistive technology is and the different types of assistive technology that can be used.
Microsoft Accessibility - This Website provides the available accessibility options on Windows 7. It thoroughly explains what is available and how to use each one. In addition, it provides information on additional assistive technologies.
What is Equitable Access?
In today's schools, all students should have equitable digital access to technology no matter their race, sex, or economic status. According to Mark Glaser, digital divide is a term used separating the haves and have-nots in digital technology.
Are All Students Given Equitable Access?
There are many schools in the United States that simply cannot afford a classroom set of Net-books or any type of additional technology. There are though schools, like St. Georges, that can. This survey was given to analyze our school's digital divide or equitable access. The results at first were not what I originally thought they would be. In fact, they were the complete opposite. The career area programs reported that they use computers more often in their class than academic teachers. As a school, it appears that everyone agrees that computers are regularly available either in a lab or in the class. It does not seem though that teachers are taking advantage of this benefit. Academic teachers hardly use computers in their lessons, and as a whole, teachers rarely assign digital homework. In order to create 21st century learners, we must teach them through the use of technology. As teachers, we must not be afraid to experiment and implement technology into our lessons. There will be students in our classrooms that do not have Internet access at their homes. To accommodate for this issue, after school computer labs and community computers are available. Resources are given below providing information on implementation of technology and alternate places students can access computers.
This video provides the top 10 reasons why teachers should incorporate technology into their lessons.
This is a short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today - how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime.
Above is a map pin pointing where St. Georges Technical High School is. Using this map teachers or students can find additional places that provide computer and Internet Access. A list of some available places or provided below.
1. New Castle County Libraries
2. Boys and Girls Club
3. University of Delaware
4. Wilmington University
5. Starbucks
1. New Castle County Libraries
2. Boys and Girls Club
3. University of Delaware
4. Wilmington University
5. Starbucks
Additional Links to Resources
Your Guide To Digital Divide - This article discusses the definition of digital divide and the effects it has on students.
Understanding Digital Divide from a Multicultural Standpoint - This article discusses the digital divide from a multicultural standpoint.
Understanding Digital Divide from a Multicultural Standpoint - This article discusses the digital divide from a multicultural standpoint.
Digital Citizenship by Kevin Stark is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.