Assistive Technology

When thinking about technology, it is easy to consider the latest advancements to make things easier, more exciting, and higher quality. However, after reading the materials about assistive technology, I was able to reevaluate what technology is and how important it can be to people with disabilities. In addition to the multimedia and other advancements that technology provides, it can provide ways to make life a little easier for people with disabilities. This type of technology is called assistive technology, which are the tools that can “help students with both learning and physical challenges.” Assistive technology can be beneficial to anyone with disabilities; however, it is also extremely important to education because it can aid in the education of students with special needs and according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school districts may need to provide assistive technology to students. Reading the materials on assistive technology reconfirmed the importance of technology to education and what we are responsible for as educators based on IDEA, as well as it reminded me how important technology can be for people with disabilities, even in the area of music.

I think that technology is a great tool to improve the lives of everyone; however, I think that assistive technology is particularly important and beneficial, and can aid in the education of students with special needs. Students with disabilities face many challenges that others may never even consider. Therefore, assistive technology provides a vital role to helping people with special needs overcome their disabilities. Students with disabilities may lack some of life’s basic functions, but with assistive technology, students may be able to get around more efficiently, and overcome some of the learning obstacles that they face. In addition, assistive technology may help provide an outlet for an incredibly talented person whose abilities would have otherwise been masked by a disability.

I thought that this was particularly impressive in the area of music with regards to the Soundbeam technology. I have realized that there are means to utilize assistive technology for students in music, just as one may in other areas of education. However, I think that the Soundbeam technology is an excellent way to incorporate assistive technology into music education. It was heartwarming to see how the student in the YouTube video about Soundbeam was able to create an interesting musical piece despite his physical limitations. At my school, I see students who face inconceivable challenges, but who seem to have a positive outlook on life. I have been told that many of these students enjoy music and just like being exposed to music. The Soundbeam technology provides a way to supersede just exposing students with disabilities to music. It can provide a means for students with disabilities to have an interactive experience in music. The Soundbeam technology can allow a student with severe disabilities to demonstrate creative abilities and talent for music that might otherwise never be recognized. The student in the video created an excellent musical piece, and who knows what someone else might be able to do with the aid of such technology. The Soundbeam technology is a fascinating example of how powerful a resource technology can be to music and to education in general. I think that assistive technology may be some of the most important technology available because it provides a means for people with disabilities to attempt to circumvent those disabilities and work to showcase the talents and abilities that may be hidden by the challenges that they face. In addition, I believe that assistive technology can be an excellent tool in education providing students with disabilities a way to better learn, and the teacher a better way to structure learning for students with disabilities.