EDUC 477/698O:

Assistive Technology/Universal Design for the General Classroom Settings

Author: Adena Raub

  1. Visit the University of Maryland’s Disability Support Services site http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/ and find who is eligible for assistance, and what documentation is needed.
  2. . Find out the definition of a “mental or physical impairment” according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/504ada.html
  3. Visit http://www.abledata.com/ and search through the information center to find ABLEDATA’S publications. Read the article on Braille writers, printers, and software. Summarize the use of such products in the classroom.
  4. Visit http://www.childrensinstitute.com/ and read about the schools the institute has set up for students with disabilities. Do you think this setting is positive for a student with disabilities? Is inclusion better?
  5. Visit the Alliance for Technology Access site http://www.ataccess.org/default.html and find where the closest technology resource center is to College Park.

Answers submitted by: Yolanda Brooks

  1. To determine if you are eligible for assistance from the University of Maryland’s Disability Support Services you must: 1) have a documented disability from either a medical or psychological professional 2) attend an intake process 3) possibly provide a psycho-educational test report if necessary
  2. The definition from USHHS for physical or mental impairment is pretty substantial. It is quoted from the website as follows:

    “Physical or mental impairment - 1) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems; neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or 2) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness , and specific learning disabilities."

  3. ABLEDATA provides information on Braille writers, printers, and software. They are used to assist children in the classroom by providing such features as dictionaries, spelling word searches, book read aloud options, machines that allow deaf individuals to communicate with each other, various keyboards to allow blind individuals to edit text, printers with continuous feed options, etc. This website provides an abundance of information for individuals who are blind.
  4. The Children’s Institute provides individualized type instruction which would be good, depending on the family’s goals for their child. The classroom size seems ideal for a child with learning and/or behavioral needs. The only thing missing would be socialization with typical children. That’s where parents have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice (sometimes its education vs. socialization). The grouping of children based on their social and academic levels seems like a good plan. However, if you have a 16 year old functioning at a 6 year old level, grouped with an actual 6 year old, how would that affect his self-esteem? It is definitely hard to say whether inclusion would be better or not. It’s an individual decision.
  5. The closest center is in Baltimore – Learning Independence Through Computers, Inc. (LINC).