Overview:



In their article "Assistive Technologies for Reading," Ted S. Hasselbring and Margaret E. Bausch highlight some of the technological programs which might help students with learning disabilities achieve greater academic success. Assistive technology is defined by federal law as "any item, piece of equiptment, or product system...used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Some of these technologies include tools to assist the visually impaired, text to speech reading assistance for the struggling reader, and background information on reading selections to aid in comprehension. The writers warn that these assistive tools are not magical panacaes to whisk away imbalances in learning--the programs should be thought of and used as tools to achievement.



Reference Points:

• 10% of U.S. students get special education services


• 44% of these students spend at least 80% of their school day in inclusive classrooms


• 8 of 10 students with learning disabilities cannot read and comprehend grade leveled reading material

Reflection:

I did not enjoy this article. It was excruciatingly boring and painfully packed full of stats and percentages. I felt as though I must have a pretty extreme reading disorder while trying to process the information in the article. Maybe that's part of the problems in schools--the snorific qualities of much of the reading content. I would like to see if Wrangell's SPED department uses any of the programs highlighted in the article though. That will be interesting.