Today in class we were joined by Kacey and Kaori who are here today from a part of BCEdAccess. This program supports students and children with disabilities and complex learners, as well as supports for their families. both of these lovely ladies made us all feel very comfortable and welcomed into the space while sharing the day’s topic. We walked through a couple of exercises around different intersectional identities such as gender, class, race, sexual identity, etc. We connected this around how we identify ourselves as we walk in a room, as well as how others view us.
BCEdAccess began to be able to support students with disabilities who unfortunately have a great lack of Tech, either at school, as well as in school and your school district system. technology support is not just needed at school, as it is a general tool that many students with disabilities rely on and creates a great success level. Unfortunately accessing support for children is hugely dependent on funding, and that is not always enough for needed support.
Both Kacey and Kaori shared their individual stories and journeys through their children with different disabilities, and the process of how assessments work. Also assessment and certain opportunities. Also how they looked for their children and their needs. Assessments have a huge impact on important steps leading to better assistance, help, and support.
Before this presentation, we had been provided with two different videos. The first was “What is Accessibility”, talking about how accessibility means different things to different people, and everyone deserves accessibility. We hear 4 different options from 4 different individuals all with different disabilities. There are many considering access in physical and online designs, allowing and providing reasonable accommodations, equal access and safe spaces. The second video was Damon Kirsebom, a seventeen-year-old non-reliably speaking autistic child. He has challenges with expressing himself through speaking but can type his thoughts independently. He is shown in the video using Proloquo4Text, a text-to-speech app. Certain individuals with disabilities like Damon have difficulties with certain aspects of life, such as typing takes time due to challenges in initiating motor movements and controlling motor planning.
Today’s presentation with Kacey and Kaori was very well-spoken and explained. I found it very knowledgeable to have such important topics covered for our technology class, as the use and need of technology in the classroom, as well as in everyday life for people with disabilities. As future educators, we must be immersed in the education of students with disabilities. It is also important how to appropriately approach the student. For example, read their IEPs, ask family, ask the student, etc. Next, find our for yourself some important questions, what do you have available? what can you get? what will you need to advocate for? etc. As well as the troubles that the lack of funding and access holds upon students with disabilities who need that extra technology, support, and aid, and as a teacher how could we move to fix the issues or find solutions? Also is important to state that technology is not the solution and tool for every student, but provide opportunities and finding the correct support is what matters most.
