Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All

In this article Lisa Wahl talks about success stories of assistive technology in the classroom. In addition she lists many of the applications and peripherals that can be used by students with special physical or educational needs. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), passed in 1997, states that districts must provide assistive technology to those students who qualify. These assistive devices run the gamut from talking calculators, adjustable computer monitors and keyboards, to various reading devices.

While I think that the implementation of assistive technologies in the classroom is valuable for all learners and is important in the creation of an equitable classroom, I wonder how much some of these devices cost school districts. In urban schools where the textbooks are so outdated that they are more detrimental than useful, and actual building structures are poorly maintained, how can we expect IDEA to be upheld? If districts must fund assistive technologies on their own, I think we can expect that very few schools will actually be able to provide these technologies to their classes.

Wahl, Lisa, (n.d.) Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All. Edutopia, Last accessed May 13, 2008 from http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enhances-learning-all