Kevin Dalin, Consultant and Rehabilitation Technology Specialist, Tech4Impact
Open, Meaningful Conversations With Assistive Technologies
- Universal Design applies to more than just assistive technologies, and all staff members should be trained in Universal Design principals so that they can help expand education access.
- Keep “simple and intuitive use” in mind to pick the most universal platform, and develop a plan to support students with
technical questions at times they are most likely to need the support, such as when they are completing homework.
“Technology features and hardware are perpetually being updated… Therefore, a plan for continuing education through conferences and/or webinars should be developed for key staff.”
“Being inclusive is an important and challenging facet of integrating technology, especially when including individuals with disabilities,” says Kevin Dalin, a consultant and rehabilitation technology specialist for Tech4Impact. As more individuals with disabilities seek higher education, providing coursework in as many different modalities and in the most accessible way possible becomes even more important. This includes integrating technology and/or assistive technology into the classroom as well as integrating ideas from Universal Design.
This is an excerpt from Expanding Educational Opportunity. The eBook was generously sponsored by Blackboard.
