Reflections of Assistive Technologies

    Assistive Technology (AT) is the group of tools utilized by individuals with disabilities to prosper in their daily lives.  Some of the tools are meant to be minimally used for specific situations and others are to be fully incorporated into every aspect of learning and living.  Most of the students introduced in the videos would never have been able to function in a classroom setting without the use of AT.  

    The assistive technologies utilized by the students in the videos were varied.  They included laptops, speech to text software and hardware, cell phones, adaptive musical instruments, text readers, and wheelchairs.  Each of these devices played an important role in the development of the student, and in their day-to-day activities.  Some of the devices, such as the Ablenet reader for Josh, were used and then, as the person developed, were phased out or traded for a different version.  Others, such as the wheelchairs for Susanna and Lucas, will be lifelong needs for the individuals.

    Without the use of the AT, each of the individuals in the videos would not have had the level of success that was achieved, nor would their futures look as positive.  Certainly Lucas would not even have the option of pursuing his dream of being a musician/music educator.  Susanna would have had a much more difficult time finding success at the collegiate level without the laptop, speech and text software, wheelchair, and cell phone available to her.  Josh and his mother would probably still be having difficulty understanding one another without the Ablenet reader and supertalker that he was introduced to in pre-school.