Benefits of Assistive Technology

I started off by watching the two Microsoft commercials. I found them to be really inspiring because it showed how technology can benefit the lives of all people (including those with and without disabilities). Technology enables people to do things that they would be otherwise unable to do. I found the adaptive video game controller from the second commercial to be especially interesting. Video games are something that many people enjoy and bond over, and I think it's amazing that this technology enables people with disabilities to participate in this. The adaptive controller is something I would definitely want to learn more about.

Then, I watched Elle's video. Elle has cerebral palsy and uses a device called a Dynavox to communicate. This device literally gives her a voice, and allows her to verbalize her thoughts. It allows her to communicate with her parents, teachers, and peers with ease. The last video I watched was about Mason, who has a visual impairment. He uses a few forms of assistive technology to help him be successful. He uses a Mountbatten, which allows him to type in Braille. He also uses an iPad to practice spelling with the traditional alphabet, because the contrast and large print allow him to see the letters. Finally, he uses a smart board in the classroom, like his peers. The smart board also has a level of contrast and large print that allows Mason to successfully use it. It helps him feel more like a part of the class, because his peers are using it as well.

I watched the two videos about Elle and Sam. They both have Cerebral Palsy, and Assistive Technology helps them function day to day. Elle uses a Dynabox. This Assistive technology helps Elle have a voice. It uses a bit of movement to speak. Sam uses another forms of AT. He loves using his iPad and voice recorder because it allows him to perform to the best of his ability at school. I am glad that they both go to schools that allow them to use Assistive Technology, and I hop schools around the world allow any students use their own technology for success in the classroom.

Aside from the commercials, I watched Elle's and Nick's videos about the AT they use in their everyday lives. The commercials were inspiring in the ways they showed how beneficial technology can really be, in ways I would have never thought possible. The video game controller was really cool to me. There are so many little things like video game joystick, that you wouldn't expect to effect a child's life so much. I admire when companies go out of their way to make AT and target a new audience.

Elle's use of the Dynavox was fascinating to me. I think its incredible that there is technology like that to help people with little vocal and motor abilities communicate, which she otherwise would not be able to. Nick had some physical disabilities that would prevent him from driving without the use of AT. I feel like very few people understand the AT we are able to implement in order to make driving more accessible to people with disabilities. I also loved the sliding board he used for typing. Something as simple as wood above his keyboard made typing so much more accessible for him.

I enjoyed all of the videos a lot and think that all prospective and current teachers should watch them to learn more about how impactful assistive technologies can be. I watched both of the Microsoft videos and I found them to be very powerful and uplifting. In the first video, there was a montage of many different types of assistant technologies being used, not just in a classroom setting, but in all areas of life. Seeing this made me excited that we’re working to make the world a more inclusive place by creating assistive technologies that people with disabilities can use to live their lives the way they want to by using it as a way to overcome any obstacles they might have to face. The second Microsoft video focused primarily on an adapted game controller that people with physical disabilities could use so that they could play video games just like anyone else. The children were so excited to be able to play the video games and it made me so happy to see that.

Then, I watched the video with Jean where she used hearing aids, like I do (I clicked on it by coincidence!), and an iPad to support her learning in school. The hearing aids help her to hear her teacher and the environment around her at the appropriate level and her iPad was a way for Jean to organize her assignments and to be able to listen to audio for different tests and quizzes and videos that were a part of her learning.

I also watched the video with Nick where he was able to drive a van by himself despite his limited physical abilities by using buttons to activate things such as the blinkers and the windshield wipers in the car. He also used a slideboard when typing on the computer. This provided him with a greater sense of independence since he can drive himself places.

I would like to learn more about the slideboard because I have never seen something like that before and Nick seemed to use it so easily and it really helped him.

The two Microsoft commercials were very heartwarming as it is amazing to see how technology helped the people live as close to a normal life as they can. I went on to watch the video about Elle who suffers from cerebral palsy. She uses the Dynavox to help with her communication issues as it was brought up in an IEP meeting. I then watched the video about Nick who is able to drive with the technology in his van to do all functions such as honk, use his blinkers, etc. He also has a joystick on the wheel to help steering. The technology in both videos is great as it helps Elle and Nick take part in society by assisting them.

I watched the Microsoft videos and the one about the boy Mason. I realized AT can help so many people. Mason's keyboard allowed him to keep up with the other writers. Too add, the smart board allowed him to partake in activities the general population did. I realized this technology can change peoples lives!

I watched the two commercials and Elle's video using Dynavox (I couldn't get any of the other videos to load on Youtube). I thought it was amazing how advanced the technology was in Elle's video. I have seen children with CP use laptops and devices that require them to type or use their hands to press buttons, but I have never seen a devices that tracks a child's sight to speak. You could see how happy she was while talking through Dynavox, just like the children in the Microsoft commercials. The assistive technology allowed the children to reach their full potential and allowed them to have access to the same activities as other children which makes them feel more accepted. I definitely would love to learn more about the assistive gaming controller as well as the Dynavox because I have never heard of either of these devices before watching the videos.

It is amazing to see what assistive technology can do for people of all ages in and out of the classroom. I watched the video about the young girl Elle who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She uses a system called Dynavox in order to communicate with her parents, teachers and peers. Her family has used many different forms of technology in order to make the best situation for their daughter. I think the Dynavox is a really incredible device and I am happy to see that people who live with cerebral palsy and other disorders that may prevent communication have this system to eliminate or lessen the communication barrier. This machine is incorporated into her IEP and the teachers at her school seem to be very supportive and willing to adapt which is very important as well. I also watched the last video, which was about a man Giesbert who struggles with many disabilities as well. He used to be an artist but his disabilities brought about a major life change. He actually created his own assistive technology tool that now allows him to live as independently as possible despite his disability. I think this is very important for people who struggle with disabilities because their independence is often taken away. In addition to this, he is now able to continue his artistic passion technologically. It's incredible to see how this technology can allow people to live their lives in such different ways and break the boundaries that their disabilities bring about.

I watched both Microsoft Super Bowl commercials. The commercial from 2014 showed how technology brings hope. It assists in connecting people who are far away from each other and allows people to talk and walk. The 2019 commerical focused on a gaming controller that was created for children with physical disabilities. This allows children to play the games that they like without having to worry about their disability being a barrier. It helps them feel included. The next video I watched was about Elle O'Gorman. She is a fourteen year old girl who likes shopping and has two brothers. Elle has cerebral palsy and has difficulty communicating. Her mother shares the trial and error that she went through with her daughter's IEP team to find the best assitive technology for her. People were underestimating Elle's abilities and comprehension simply because she could not verbally communicate. Elle is currently using "Dynavox" which is a device that speaks for her. I would like to investigate "Dynavox" myself to learn about its features. I would also like to learn more about the other assitive technology that Elle used so that I can see why they did not work for her. The last video I watched was about Sam Graves. He is a student blogger who attends Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Sam moves around in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy and has trouble communicating. He says that he uses an iPad, computer, and voice recorder and provided specific examples of assitive technology that he uses. "Audio Note" allows him to record lectures and assignments. "Kindle" allows him to read his books on his iPad. His digital voice recorder helps him record lectures and assignments as well. I would like to explore "Audio Note" more so that I know how to use it. I think it would be a useful tool in an elementary school classroom. Sam's story impacted me the most becaue it was clear how hard he works. He looks beyond his disability and actively looks for ways to help him perform well in his classes.

I watched two Microsoft commercials and the videos on Elle and Jean. The first video identified the ways that technology can help struggling students using different resources and assistance. The second Microsoft video was about children who struggled with a standard video game controller and discussed a new video game controller to help these children engage in video games. I watched Elle's video and learned about her struggles with communicating before using Dynavox. This assistive technology resource has helped her in her family, peer, and school relationships. I then watched Jean's video which was about her using an Ipad to learn along side her peers. I would be interested in learning more about the different ways that children who struggle with communication can succeed in their relationships with others.

I watched the two Microsoft commercials and they were very moving. The first one was about how technology can help people with various disabilities. The second one was about Microsoft coming out with a game controller that disabled people that may not have all their fingers or no fingers at all can still play the games they love. After those I watched Jeans user video. Jean uses hearing aids as well as an iPad to help her. She uses the iPad for most school things. She takes tests on her iPad, takes notes on it, and she also can play educational games on it too. She also uses Boots, which plugs into her iPad and her hearing aids making her hearing aids act as headphones. Without these tools Jean would have a hard time hearing in class and keeping up with notes. Finally, the last video I watched was Mason's video. Mason is visually impaired. He is completely blind in his left eye and the other sees 20/300. He uses technology to help him learn. When his teacher asks for students to write, Mason uses a Mountbatten. A Mountbatten is a tool that writes braille. Mason also uses technology like an iPad to practice spelling since he can see the high contrast colors on the iPad and the bigger letters. Mason wouldn't be able to read or write if he didn't have the Mountbatten or use technology that makes words bigger for him. I thought Mason's video was most interesting. I didn't know much about how they can use these tools to help the visually impaired. I would definitely want to learn more about the different types of technology they use to help students like Mason.

I watched both microsoft videos on their work in the field of AT. I think it was fascinating to see how high tech the AT has become and how technology truly can be life changing for people living with disabilities. I was especially impressed by the adapted video game controllers, because playing video games is something that is so simple for most of us, yet can be so marginalizing for a child whose disability keeps them from being able to play. Seeing the true joy on their faces when they were introduced to the technology really shows how much of an impact AT can have. Elle and Sam showed the same kind of enthusiasm for their forms of assistive technology. They both have cerebral palsy and they are both successfully able to communicate with their friends, family and peers thanks to AT. Elle used her Dynovox which uses sensors and a screen to help her translate her thoughts into verbal communication. I would definitely like to learn more about this Dynovox technology, and how it is able to so accurately communicate so quickly. Sam uses apps, his laptop and a voice recorder in order to help him take notes for his college classes. He mentioned that he previously had an aide who would take notes for him, but now he loves that he can do it himself. If I gathered anything from these videos, it's that AT has tremendous power to give disabled people a whole new freedom and agency to be who they want to be and do what they want to do; and that is truly amazing.

I watched the videos for Elle and Mason. Elle has cerebral palsy, and communicates through an automated system called Dynovox. This allows her to express her thoughts easily, whereas laptops and other programs she previously tried did not allow for such easy expression. Mason has visual impairments, being blind in one eye and having partial retinal vision in the other. He is learning to read and write Braille, and has visual accommodations in school. I thought it was interesting that his parents were pushing for him to read Braille, but it looks like it is helping him a lot. I'm curious to see how he does with reading further in his school years, and if his teachers will have to create assignments in Braille for him.

I watched both of the Super Bowl videos and Mason and Elle's videos. The Super Bowl videos show just how important technology can be to those who need it, giving a voice or a normal life to people. Elle's video shows how her Dynovox enables her to communicate with those around her. This Dynovox is powerful, because people would typically underestimate Elle. Now that they can communicate with her, they can understand her more. It also allows her to participate in school. I would like to learn more about the Dynovox. I am curious as to how the camera tracks her eye gaze to the correct spot. I am also unsure of if she has a choice in what options she can put on her Dynovox. Mason uses a keyboard that allows him to type in Braille. This keyboard is great, because it allows him to develop literacy skills in a language that will help him in the future. Furthermore, as texts get more complex, the words tend to get smaller, so learning Braille will help him to be able to stay on grade level with his reading.

I watched the 2014 and 2018 Microsoft Superbowl commercials, as well as the video about Giesbert and Sam.  

The 2014 Microsoft commercial showed a myriad of assistive technologies, and how technology can be used to connect people to others, both in-person and from a distance.  It highlighted the scope of technologies from long-distance video calls to technologies which allow people to hear and speak.

The 2018 Microsoft commercial focused specifically on assistive technology in the form of gaming, by showcasing their “adaptive controller” for the XBOX.  This video was so inspiring, as it showed how something like playing video games, which most people tend to take for granted, can exclude individuals with disabilities.  Microsoft designed a controller which enabled people with disabilities to be able to play the same games, by making the features of the controller accessible to a broader range of abilities through a touch screen, foot pedals, and various other features.

Giesbert’s video titled, “Head-Designed”, shows how assistive technology enabled him to continue his work as a graphic designer and his ability to live independently after becoming paralyzed from the neck down.  He uses a special computer with a cursor controlled by his head movements and a sensor next to his head. He also a keyboard on the computer screen, and is able to control many functions and tools throughout his home through the use of his computer.

The final video I watched about Sam was titled, “Assistive Technology in Action- Meet Sam”.  This video showed how Sam is able to live an extremely active life, and pursue his favorite sports like skiing and baseball through assistive technologies.  Sam has Cerebral Palsy, and needs to use a wheelchair. Some of the assistive technology he uses daily are his ipad, his voice recorder, and his computer. These enable him to take notes in class at college rather than having an aide take notes for him. 

It was so inspiring to see how technology enabled all of these people to continue doing things they love, achieve their goals, and simply live more independently. A few of the people mentioned they would not be able to do everyday things independently without the use assistive technology, and to see how much it can improve people's live is so inspiring. The advancements in recent years make me hopeful that there will be even more innovative technologies soon to make life easier for all people.

The Microsoft videos were heartwarming and shows how imported AT is for people of all ages and no matter what their disability is. I enjoyed seeing all of this technology that I never knew really existed.

The first video I watched was of Elle and she used a machine that follows her eye gazes and then the machine speaks for her. I remember when I was substituting for an aide the student I was with had something like this. The computer would read something aloud and then I would read it back to the student. For example, he would play an educational game and it would say "select all the blue triangles" and then he can select the blue triangles by simply staring at them because the computer follows his eye gaze.

The second video I watched was Giesbert and I thought it was awesome that AT gave him the power to live independently despite being completely paralyzed. He is doing what he loves and can control almost his entire house with the touch of the buttons on his computer and wheelchair.

The Microsoft videos proved how impactful AT can be to students with severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy. By using the Dynabox and iPad, both girls will able to communicate with others and record the teacher's instruction for later reference. This AT was very positive because it allowed students to become more self aware and allowed them to understand the material better.

The Microsoft videos were very inspiring because the first depicted the many ways technology helps those who need accommodations. The second showed how adaptive technology helps children who need assistance play video games which I thought was awesome because it allows them to be like their peers and play without difficulty. For the Action Series, I watched the videos on Elle and Sam. Elle and Sam have cerebral palsy. Elle is a young girl and went through many forms of AT to finally get to her Dynabox which is the least confusing for her and is the best in aiding her with communicating with others. Sam uses the iPad and voice recorder. He uses them to take notes by typing or by recording his teachers' lectures for later reference. In both situations, AT helped them feel more self-sufficient and comfortable in school.

For this module, I watched the two videos about Elle and Sam. Both of them suffer from Cerebral Palsy, which means assistive technology is a massive part of their day-to-day lives. Elle uses a Dynabox. Her mother describes how she has used other tools in the past, but Dynabox is definitely what has helped her the most. Being that it requires the least amount of movement, Elle has had the most success using the Dynabox because it is a tool that best gives her a voice. Sam has Cerebral Palsy as well, but uses other forms of AT. He said that he loves using his iPad and voice recorder because they help him the most when he is in school. I think it is great that both of them are able to use their AT in the classroom setting with little to no restrictions. I hope that there are even more improvements and advances in the world of AT to help people like Elle and Sam.

After watching the two Microsoft commercials I also watched the videos for Elle and Jean. The first Microsoft video highlighted the ways in which technology can help people. The second Microsoft video focused on children who loved to play video games, but struggled with a regular controller until a new one was developed. Following this I watched Elle's video. Prior to the Dynavox Elle struggled to communicate. However, this assistive technology has allowed her to communicate with her family, friends and peers at school. Next, I watched Jean's video. Jean has benefited from the use of an iPad. It has helped her access her curriculum, recording notes and taking tests. I would love to learn more about the Dynavox because it was something I have never seen prior to watching Elle's video.

I watched both Microsoft videos, the one was about general technology being able to help make peoples lives better, help connect people, things like that. The other Microsoft video showed the game controller Microsoft came out with that helps people who are disabled (in this case kids) be able to play video games that they otherwise couldn't do with the normal controller. I then watched Elle's video. Elle has cerebral palsy and she had a Dynovox, which basically gave her a voice. I think it was a really great AT to come out of her IEP meetings. The last video I watched was Nick's. Nick has a lot of really great AT resources. He is able to drive a van using a joystick and a screen, he also has a slide board that he uses to type on the computer or iPad it allows him to only look at one row or keys. I really like the idea of his slide board and could see that being used.