Week 12: Assitive Technology and Physical Disabilities

Students with physical disabilities often need assistive technology devices to help in the classroom. The level of technology will vary depending on the disability. There are four areas of focus for students with physical disabilities where some form of technology can be helpful. They are seating or positioning, daily living, facilitate learning, and communication (Meeting, 1996). A student with a physical disability needs a well supported seat. Improper seating will limit their functionality. There are some low level technologies that can help achieve the proper seating. The students can use hip straps or foot boxes to help position themselves correctly (Meeting, 1996).

Technology is important in the second area, daily life. It can be as simple as a grab bar to help a student use the toilet (Meeting, 1996). The everyday things such as brushing your teeth or feeding yourself can be challenging for a student with a physical disability. The more modifications one has to every day routine things the more independent they can be.

Computers can help facilitate learning for those with physical disabilities. Adaptations can be done to the computer. A solution for students who have trouble accessing a standard keyboard is a keyguard. A keyguard is a hard plastic cover that has holes for each key. This device increases accuracy and helps maintain correct hand placement (Torreno, 2010). Adjustable keyboards are another option instead of the standard keyboard. A solution for students who have trouble with hand control could be using a trackball or joystick. The size of the trackball can vary to best support the student (Torreno, 2010). Both of these don't require as much fine motor skills as a regular mouse does.

Lastly, communication can sometimes be difficult. This can effect all three areas above. If a student can not communicate properly and effectively then it is hard to let someone know there is a problem. There are several computer programs that will take text into speech. This may be a challenge if the student has a very difficult time with the computer though. 

Resources:
Meeting the needs of students with physical disabilities. (1996)

S Torreno. (2010, August 10). Assistive Technology for Children with Physical Disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/47379.aspx