Video Reflection: Assistive Technology

Title: Video Reflection: Assistive Technology

Robert J. Sales, ED 451, UOG

The short video: Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams brings into light the importance of having Assistive Technology available in today’s classroom settings. AT, short for Assistive Technology plays a significant role in the lives of people with disabilities. So what is Assistive Technology? By definition, it is “any device which may be used by anyone with a disability or without; Assistive Technology (AT) enables individuals to be independent and allows them to perform various tasks which they otherwise would not be able to accomplish without any assistance.”
Independent: I define this as the ability to make choices, to be self-sufficient in one’s life. The video shows how AT gives the abilities of being independent to people that are disabled. They are able to independently move about on their own with minimal assistance. There is greater independent communication with their peers and instructors. Without AT in their lives they would require greater assistance from others. I believe as we start to mature in life, the need for being independent increases. It is part of our life growth. Through Assistive-Technology we are able to accomplish this.
Another important aspect which AT plays a role in is the ability to perform various tasks which otherwise would be difficult or near impossible to perform. The people with disabilities shown on the video are doing things which none physically challenge individuals are capable of doing without assistance. For example the simple task of moving around, for those of us without any disability this is a rather simple, without much thought, automatic action. However for people with certain disabilities this action is just the opposite. This is were AT comes into play. Individuals with disabilities are now able to move about, pick up certain things, communicate easily, go the school and succeed via AT.
In order for AT to be utilized to its’ full potential, training should be started as early as possible. The video contends that the sooner a person with a disability is introduced to AT he or she will be able to reach a level of mastery using AT earlier. This will allow them to focus on the content areas in school versus attempting to learn the subject matter and still becoming familiarized with the AT.



References
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video

Rubics