Apply and Discover 9.1

Apply and Discover 9.1

What does it mean to "provide equal access to the digital world"?

The digital world is providing new and exciting opportunities for learning, especially for those struggling with learning differences.  Assistive technology is rapidly changing and advancing, allowing for more choices in supporting learning and communication both in and out of the classroom.  Todays’ students and teachers can easily access screen readers, text-to-speech devises, alternative inputs, communicators, switches, and other devises to aid learners with all types of disabilities. 

When faced with the question, “What does it mean to provide equal access to the digital world?” my initial reaction was sadly pessimistic, as I do not believe that such a concept can be actualized. While I want every student I teach to have the best supports and resources available to aid in their learning, it is not always possible.  Why?  First, there are so many options available today, that it is nearly impossible to stay up to date on the digital tools. Secondly, many of the most useful resources are costly.  How do we quantify the costs of learning to justify the purchase of these tools? A $500 communication box for a student with a language based learning disability, or $500 iPad for the non-verbal LD student, while the un-coded student struggling with executive functioning has nothing?  The concept of equal access is overwhelming to me, it is like a Rubik’s cube; each time I think I have figured out one side, there is something amiss with another. 

Trying to hone in on a smaller scale, I tried to think of my own classroom, and the ways that I can do my best to strive for equal access to the digital world. What comes to mind first, is finding the time to be knowledgeable of the available resources and taking the time to be proficient with them.  Spend more time sharing information with colleagues, and on the web, learning to utilize assistive resources that are already available.  As suggested on the CAST website, I need to begin to implement universal design for learning and expect others to do the same.  Be aware that there are both physical access and cognitive access barriers that need to be addressed (CAST, n.d).   Flexibility and fluidity of thought are needed to reshape curriculum and goals to meet the needs of our diverse learners.  

CAST: UDL Questions and Answers Q5. (n.d.). CAST: Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved August 17, 2012, from http://www.cast.org/udl/faq/index.html#q5