Physically+Disabled+Web+2.0+Accessibility

June Likourinou, RN, CCSD School Nurse
====Imagine a world where the physically disabled are able to succeed in the regular classroom. In this world, “Pens, pencils, and paper will be artifacts of the past” (Bromley, 2010). In past years, holding a pen or a pencil to write was not an achievable skill for the physically disabled. The physically disabled were confined to institutions or the home for their school aged years.==== ====“A physical disability can affect how a student performs in the classroom. Because of such laws as, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and advances in technology, students with physical disabilities can succeed in the classroom. Technology can be a powerful “equalizer” for people with disabilities, allowing them to “get around” a limitation in any number of areas” (Believability, 2008). In recent years, the physically disabled are being educated in public schools. Society has made great strides to accept the physically disabled, and to allow these students to attend public schools.==== ====Although society has made great strides, inclusion of these students in the regular education classroom falls short. These students are typically in self contained classrooms. How do we assist these physically disabled students to become independent learners with their writing skills, so they may also be educated in the regular classroom? The answer is, to utilize a Web 2.0 tool called Dragon Dictation. Dragon Dictation is speech recognition software that makes it easier for anyone to use a computer. You talk, and it types. A student can use their voice to create and edit documents or emails, launch applications, open files, control their mouse, and more.==== ====A physically challenged student is not able to use traditional pen and paper. Dragon Dictation is the assistive technology, Web 2.0 tool that can assist the physically disabled student to become independent writers in the regular classroom. A physically challenged student may face barriers to Dragon Dictation and will need assistance of the teacher or classroom aide with downloading and setting up the program. Once the program is installed, the teacher or classroom aid will need to instruct the physically disabled student on how to operate Dragon Dictation.==== ====In conclusion, advances in assistive technology have been at a rapid rate, but society still has far to go. Educators need to embrace and integrate web 2.0 technology. Web 2.0 technology can open doors for physically disabled students, to access equal and quality education. As a school nurse, I can assist physically disabled students to acquire assistive technology to help these students to become more active writing learners, and improve the quality of their lives in the least restrictive environment.====

Bromley, K. (2010). Picture a world without Pens, Pencils, and Paper. Journal of College Reading and Learning, p.97.
====A year later we revisit the topic of Web 2.0 for the disabled. Within a year we have seen many developments that have been released that can allow for the disabled to achieve more than ever before. I recently read a story online that shares thoughts from older gentleman and how he can use new tools to help him still do his job and work in life. The older man was a sketch artist for trade and hobby but when he started to age more and more he was unable to use a pencil to sketch. He could not physical hold it. With the new use of iPads he was able to sketch on an iPad and upload it and still complete his work.==== ====Now take this story and imagine it for a classroom setting. Maybe in an art class or a Spanish class where a student could not do all the work necessary with traditional educational tools. That student would now be able to complete all work and do more than the world would have ever thought.==== ====With these tools now becoming more prominent we see that voice recognitions software is better than ever before. A student can now twitter, facebook, text, and write on a computer or hand held device because of the new voice recognition software’s out there. The students can do more than ever before now and we need to be on the same page and allow for students and educators to use these tools.====

http://lifedisabled.com/tag/voice-recognition-dragon/
Added by Matt Feiling June 8 2012