Module #13

Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Disability Summary:

                In this article, Paul H. Wise looks at the impact technological innovation has had on the way we define disability and the treatment for children with disabilities.  Wise begins by defining disability and assistive technology as we use them today and shows the relationship they have between one another. Wise then looks at the impact therapeutic and preventive technologies has had on child disabilities like new vaccines, genetic screening, etc.  With all of these new technologies catered to helping children with disabilities, we see a social shift between the haves and the have-nots, along with added pressure on schools and the health care delivery system.   Schools and health care delivery systems are not able to provide all the latest technical and technological advancements to children with disabilities from lack of funding, lack of resource, etc. and the disparity between children with disabilities has widened because of it.  To conclude, we are left with the challenge of providing equitable technical innovations to children with disabilities as the technological advancements continue, to close the disparity gap.

Reflection:

                Working in a school system, it is easy for me to relate to this article.  I can see where children with disabilities can have disparity even among a single school, so it is no shock that this is happening on a global scale with the new innovations and advancements that are coming out.  One thing I do think is happening too is the overuse of assistive technologies to help not only students with disabilities but also students without.  Looking at a program like WebAnywhere, we can see the positives and the benefits of utilizing this in the classroom; however, at the same time students who don’t necessarily have a disability will also have access to this program.  This, in turn, creates a new problem to where students without disabilities become lazy, resulting from technological innovations that might not be necessary for that student.  There are numerous programs like this in the school system, so it creates even more havoc for the school to provide equitable access for students with disabilities, but at the same time limit the use of these assistive technologies for students without disabilities.