Oblinger and Ruby (retrieved March 3, 2008) they discuss the budgeting problems associated with providing Assistive Technologies in an academic setting. They described a University that didn't have enough money in their equipmement budget to purchase a screen reader application for the computer, so they hired a human reader for two years to accommodate a student's needs. With that experience behind them, perhaps they have figured out a way to losen up the rigidity of their budgeting system. Perhaps they have a line in the budget now for disability services, which can be used however it is decided best fits the needs of the student. If school budgets are done every year, I'm wondering why the University didn't hire a human reader for the first year, and budget in for the electronic screen reader for the second year.
They discussed the fact that people without disabilities often end up benefitting from accommodatoions made for the disabled. Use of the cut away sections of street curbs at crossings is an example of this. People with strollers or on bicycles benefit from being able to use them. Within the technological realm, even if we don't end up finding specific uses for people without disabilities, just being able to have closer affiliations with disabled persons in our schools can enrich our lives, both through an experience in diversity, and for what that student brings to the university regardless of her disability.
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That same story (p.6) really disgusted me. The University should have purchased the screen reader technology simply because it would have permitted that student "empowerment and INDEPENDENCE," as opposed on making them dependent on another person. I'm sure an exception could have been made, and if not flexibility needs to be mandated into their budget. I just can't believe the administration at that University couldn't work that situation out, it seems more like someone was trying to take the lazy way out and keep from dealing with complications and meetings.
I also was struck by the discussion about people without disabilities benefitting from accommodations made for people with disabilities. I think that the more interaction and exposure people have to tools for people with disabilities better it will be because of the enrichment. In schools I think that this is especially true. My son has been in an inclusion class for the past three years and the parents have more trouble with the fact that there are students of all abilities in the same class than the kids. However that may be a bit "Pollyannaish" of me.
Stacey,
Agreed. Shouldn't a university be hiring people that are intelligent, energetic, imaginative, resourceful, and forward-thinking?
Jennifer,
I don't think it's "Pollyannaish" of you. As an example of kids that are accepting of a student with disabilities: I work with a student who has some problems, including social, but the kids in his classroom know and understand how he is. I've seen and heard of things the other students do to help him, include him, and also just let him be himself. It is truly inspirational to see them relate to him as if he wasn't different, but still make allowances for him when his behavior is off.
Brooke
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