AT Module 5

I have learned a lot from the Discovering Assistive Technology tutorial, both practical and philosophical, and would recommend it to other teachers and TLs. I guess my definition of disability has broadened and I see how the concept of Universal Design is so important. I had no idea of the range of assistive technology that is out there-low, medium, and high tech. I will be more diligent with my students who have visual and auditory processing problems. The tutorial led me to read the LAUSD Technology Plan, all 118 pages, and to the LAUSD Assistive Technology webpage. I interviewed several special education teachers and specialists at my school, and was surprised to learn that Fremont has over 500 special education students. We have students with myriad disabilities-physical, cognitive, emotional. There is a Community Based Instruction (CBI) program for some severely disabled students. Many students have one or more learning disabilities. Some have one-on-one aides. Fremont functions as a sort of special ed. "magnet" school according to one teacher. All of the teachers I spoke to bemoaned the lack of medium and high tech assistive technology and had long wish lists. The library at Fremont has virtually no assistive technology. The OPAC is wheelchair accessible and the aisles meet ADA requirements. There are a few audio books. The librarian expressed frustration that when the library was recently remodelled they ignored her requests to make the restrooms accessible to all students.

I also kept a copy of the tutorial's reading list and have read some of them already (Kissing Doorknobs, Freak the Mighty, Stuck in Neutral, A Child Called "It", The Giver, The Crazy Horse Electric Game)

Overall, my consciousness has been raised and expanded, and I have gleaned a lot of information that will help me increase/improve equity and access in my classroom as well as when I become a TL.