Dependence

Are you dependent upon glasses to read this post? Great! Hope you have them on because I want you to read it, especially if you are someone who thinks it's a bad thing when students need a tool to help them read the curriculum.

No one thinks twice about the need for glasses to read, drive or see the world, right? Glasses help bypass visual acuity issues. We can all agree on that.

So, why is the need for technology to access grade level curriculum such a bad thing?

At a recent IEP team meeting, the special educator stated she didn't want the student to "depend upon technology" to access the curriculum. Instead, she reads the material to the student since the student is reading below grade level due to a reading disability.

Funny. She failed to see the irony.

She was promoting dependence upon the adult. 

What's worse, dependence upon an adult to access grade level material or "dependence" on technology, which allows the student to independently access the curriculum, once they know how to use it? If they need to listen to the material again because they don't fully understand it, they can.
 No issues.

Assistive Technology EQUIPS and EMPOWERS students for success and INDEPENDENCE. 

We must never lose sight of that reality. While students are receiving the remediation, let's give them opportunities for success and independence by accommodating for the learning challenge. Why does anyone think that depending upon an adult and withholding assistive technology is beneficial?

I don't get it. Let me put my glasses on.... maybe I'll see it a little clearer.

Image credit - uxcell.com