Assistive Technology is a Must!

This week's discussion has centered on Assistive Technology, or technology designed to be accessible by people with disabilities. This is a very interesting and important topic and I'm glad that we are devoting at least some class time to this topic. The article provided in class, Accessible Technology Can Help Colleges and Universities Remove Barriers to Education by Oblinger and Ruby (n.d.), contends that, depending on its design, "information technology can either be a blessing or a curse" for people with disabilities. Students with disabilities must be given access to learning through information technologies, just as other students are. Otherwise, as the rest of the world moves forward in its technological capabilities and understanding, people with disabilities will be left farther and farther behind. Assistive technology is an important part of finding a solution to this problem.

An interesting analogy is made in this article which helps explain that assistive technologies are not only beneficial to people with disabilities but may be beneficial to all. Just as curb cuts in sidewalks have helped people in wheelchairs, they have also helped people riding bicycles and pushing strollers. The same is true of assistive techonologies. If information technologies are designed to be more accessible for those with disabilities, they will also be more accessible and beneficial to all potential users.

People with disabilities have so much to offer the world. Given the right tools, access, and opportunities, their contributions to the workforce and to society in general can be so valuable. They see the world through a different perspective and with a different understanding than others do. It is in the best interest of us all therefore, to give people with disabilities every chance to learn and grow. Assistive technologies offer such an opportunity.