tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post7031625936375772401..comments2024-02-25T10:24:30.868-05:00Comments on Special needs disability parenting BLOOM: Technology: Hype or hope?BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-26791884087391570162010-11-18T19:37:37.310-05:002010-11-18T19:37:37.310-05:00Emerging technolgy or assistive communicative devi...Emerging technolgy or assistive communicative devices are often bittersweet for people with disabilities, as each program has its pros and cons. For instance, before entering High School, I was given WordQ. Although the initial purpose of this program (to help me type at a quicker pace) was unsuccessful, I do use it's "Reading Option" as an editing tool. In addition, the promise of vioce activation, for those who are verbal but struggle with fine motor skills, has yet to be useful in practical terms, as most children are still better off using one or two fingers when typing.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I do believe that computer programmers and enginers can significantly better the lives of children with disabilities by modifying existing technology. For example, please allow to quote Donna Cappelli, describing her son Julian, as stated above:<br /> <br /> ...he has single-switch access through a throat sensor that allows him to turn the pages of an online book. But the books from the library that he wants to read aren’t available online. So he has the access but nothing to use it with.<br /><br />Would it be unreasonable to teach Mrs. Cappelli to scan the books her son wishes to read into a PDF format and download them onto his computer, enabling her son to read any work to his heart's content?<br /><br />Furthermore, parents need greater access to new technologies during the early stages of their child's development. For instance, I visited Holland Bloorview today, as I needed one of splints repaired, and watch an eight year boy struggle to speak to his mother. However, this same boy was navigating an iPhone faster than I could think, as he spoke to his mom with his heart. And, as I write this, the only thing I can think is, "This beautiful boy requires an iPad and someone to take the time to show him how to type."<br /><br />Matt KamaratakisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-66900301098980928852010-11-18T12:08:13.920-05:002010-11-18T12:08:13.920-05:00Louise, thanks so much for putting this up. I, fo...Louise, thanks so much for putting this up. I, for one, am very excited about the new technologies. They could have a profound impact on how the severely disabled are viewed by society. Not all will be reached, but many more will be. This has significant implications for those promoting growth attenuation as well, since proponents of g.a. like to convince parents that they know their severely disabled children are unable to understand what is going on around them. Read it here: http://saynoga.blogspot.com/2010/11/will-technology-help-us-avoid-more.htmlClairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13070297384173508509noreply@blogger.com