This inspiring video above shows exactly what assistive technology can do for a person with a disability. The video describes the obstacles that a young autistic girl faces every day, and shows us that typing on the computer gave her the chance to finally communicate with others, even though she was a non-verbal child!
There are two kinds of disability models that our society bases their thoughts on. One is the medical perspective of a disability, and the other is the social perspective of a disability. As an educator, at times I dislike the medical perspective because it judges disabled people on what they cannot do, rather than what they can do. If Carley's family listened to just the medical perspective, maybe she would have never had the opportunity to use a computer to communicate. Medically speaking, if she wasn't able to communicate with words, or sign language then some may think she shouldn't communicate at all. On the other hand, the social perspective of a disability would offer many types of accommodations or adaptations for Carley, in order for her to overcome the barrier of being non-verbal, so that she would be able to communicate with the world and the people around her.
The medical model puts a label on the person based on their disability, and doesn't give any room for growing or progressing in a positive way, or inclusion in society. The social model includes all types of people, not based on race, religion, disability, or background and accepts them for who they are, not the barriers that they face every day. Teachers understand this, and are able to adapt materials so that all types of learners, and disabilities, have an equal opportunity to participate in the classroom instruction. This is why I think teachers should base their teaching off the social model of a disability. Let's focus on what they CAN do, rather than what they cannot.
Liz, I fully agree with your last statement about focusing on what they can do and not on what they can't. If more people thought that way, it would be easier for me to go to work everyday. I unfortunately work with some teachers that don't believe that special education students are capable of anything and they really dislike when they are included in their regular education classrooms. This upsets me, and I wish more regular education teachers took the time to want every student to be successful in the classroom environment.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteWOW was all I could say when I first saw this video. It is truly amazing to see what an assistive technology device can do for a child. It makes me want to become a special education teacher even more so now. I want to be able to help every student to make sure they have all the appropriate tools they need to communicate. I think sometimes students with disabilities are looked at differently than regular education students, but its important to remember that they are just as important as any other student in your classroom. I hope I am able to make a difference like this in at least one students life.
Amy