a set of assistive technology

3) Design a set of assistive technology supports to meet the person’s needs.

· LaDonna can use audio books that the she can control the speed and volume to enhance her reading. This way she can follow with her eyes and listen at the same time.

· In order to keep her mind active, she can get a touch pad and download Sudoku and other games that require mind usage.

· LaDonna should download apps where she can write down things she has to remember and the app will keep reminding her every hour, just like an alarm. She can even set up speakers in every room and connect it with her phone; this way, she will still be reminded to do something even if she forgets where she placed her phone.

· In order for her to write songs, she can download an app where she connects her instrument to the computer or tv and record everything she plays. This way, she can go back to previous recordings to pick which ones she likes. After doing so, she can use the app to place the clips together to create a song.

4) Write a one-two page response that answers the questions asked on the case study page (typed, double-spaced) and submit prior to, or on, the due date.

The definition of assistive technology is: any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities (http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/Assistive-Technology-Definition.aspx)

Some suggestions for LaDonna and her professors in improving her access to instruction would be to provide books with more pictures and audio to help her comprehending skills. Professors should provide office hours where LaDonna can go to ask questions; one on one meetings would make LaDonna feel more at ease. The professor could also provide all the instructions online, where LaDonna can review them if she didn’t understand in class. If she has trouble reading, she can copy them and paste them in google translate, where the option of reading them out loud is available.

I would recommend LaDonna getting a touch pad where she can download audio books to follow along with the reading. She could use the same touch pad to write down a to do list and things she has to remember and set up alarms that will remind her every now and then. LaDonna can also download mind challenging games that she can play whenever she has free time. She could also buy the Sudoku books or crossword puzzles and place it in every corner of the house so that she’ll see it throughout the day. I also recommend her buying speakers and connecting them to the touch pad; this way she will be able to hear the alarm even if she doesn’t have her pad right next to her.

LaDonna should give out speeches where she talks about her problems and explains how unseen disabilities are ignored sometimes. She should talk and befriend her classmates, and let them know about her disabilities so that they won’t mind being more patient with her. After listening to speeches from people with unseen disabilities, such as in class session number two, where two veterans came to talk to us – one with a physical disability and one with PTSD – I learned that many veterans who are not physically hurt, get a different treatment from those who are. In LaDonna’s case, I think that she should speak up whenever she is having trouble, since people are always willing to help.

Part two:

I learned that even though some problems are not visible to the eye, it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. Everyone is struggling with something, so creating an environment where exclusion doesn’t exist can help lots of individuals. I also learned from LaDonna that finding a motivation could make someone stronger; in her case, it’s her son. She has so many things that she wants to give to him and make him proud, giving her the courage to go back to school and sit in the classroom with people who are so different from her.

LaDonna suggested that students be asked if they need alternative ways to interact with the material, make sure that students are fully engaged in classroom activities, use methods that make the students have a sense of belonging in the classroom, make textbooks available early for those who need to know the material before hand, and use visual aids along with lectures and oral presentations.

I suggested that LaDonna speak up about her problems because lots of people would be willing to help. Sometimes people don’t know about your struggle so it’s easier to talk about it and let the people around you know, giving them the chance to help. I also suggested more visuals and audio for textbooks, since looking at pictures and listening to someone read to you might help LaDonna concentrate more. After reading her suggestions, I think that classroom activities and projects would really help her get involved more. I believe that once people get to know her, they’ll be more understanding.

The responses of the faculty members focused more on the video, stating things such as, “the teacher was wearing a Tupac shirt, and she’s wearing an Angela Davis shirt”. I don’t really think that this was intended, but I do think that the pictures in the beginning showing her in her marines uniform really created a contrast. I like how one faculty member suggested LaDonna to change her attitude so that other students and teachers wouldn’t misunderstand her and think that she was just having a bad day. Even faculty members think that making textbooks available before hand is a really good idea because it would allow “a head start with knowing just what the books are going to be so that they can actually start reading them”. At the end of the video, one faculty member suggested that professors use more individuality and personal life experiences to avoid just spitting out information. Not only does this help students understand the subject faster, it keeps them interested and attentive.

By doing this case study, I learned that involving everyone in an activity can really make someone feel better about themselves. I also learned inner struggles can be even worse than those we can see. In LaDonna’s case, I feel that she has really good suggestions that can actually be achieved.