Through the reading this week and my volunteering, I have learned a lot about physical disabilities along with technology that can help individuals with disabilities. Individuals that have physical disabilities, whether they have grown up with them, or develop disabilities as an adult can transition into work and the community environment with the help of accommodations, medical and technical support. Our text tells us that technology in the school can be grouped into 5 categories: technology productivity tools, information technology, instructional technology, medical technology, and assistive technology. Most students, with or without disabilities, use the first three technologies listed. Many students with physical disabilities will often require the use of medical and assistive technology as well. Medical technology helps many children and adults with their physical and/or health issues to be able to survive and live easier. I have seen many medical devices such as gastrostomy tubes, trachetomy tubes, special eyewear and hearing aids in the classroom where I volunteer. Assistive technology is what most amazes me, I have been able to see it help children and adults first hand. Over the weekend I was able to volunteer with veterans at a boathouse down by Lake Michigan in Chicago. We worked as a team of volunteers and assisted the veterans in getting in and out of kayaks, an OC4 (four man outrigger canoe), and how to use the rowing machine, and they LOVED it. It was quite an extraordinary experience for me because while I volunteered in my classroom, the children were ages 3-5, and the veterans are much, much older! It allowed me to see that although people may be born with, or develop disabilities later on in life, it is possible for these people to do just about anything with some assistance and a large amount of patience and will power. With all the events that have gone on in the lives of the people I worked with, not one of them showed sadness or defeat, but pure happiness and ALL were very outgoing. This really hit home with me. I asked a lady named Babette, who is from Georgia and is paralyzed on her left side of her body, a question, and it was, "Are you alright with trying out this adaptive kayak?" and her reply was, "Of course, I try everything and don't worry about what will or can happen!" Wow! Babette's response served as a major inspiration to me in my own life and reminded me also of the TED talk given by the man with Cerebral Palsy from our interactive video. People with disabilities are some of the most amazing people I have come to know. Here is a link you should definitely check out! http://www.ric.org/services/sports-and-fitness/sports-programs/military/military-sports-camp/ |