Disability and Education

       Before I came to America I didn't have too much knowledge about disabilities. I knew more or less what it means but I didn't had a profound knowledge. I can say that I knew a few things about disability, because I have a classmate that is blind, and as a friend I talk with her about that so that way I can try to help her with what she needs. Now, I can say that almost everything that I know from disability I learn during this summer. It was really interesting to learn about all the different kinds of disabilities and the ways that I as a teacher can help the students to evolve.
The past week started with a visit to Domino Preschool, that is a school located in the campus of EWU. In this school they have autistic children included in a environment with children without disabilities.We had the opportunity to observe the normal development of the class and at the same time we could ask questions about what we are seeing. It was really interesting to see what they do in this school and one of the things that I like the most was to see the passion that the teacher and volunteers who work there have. It is always touching to see how much some people care and since I am here I have seen this a lot and I'm still astonished.
During the three days when we had Assistive Technology Workshops I was amazed about all the different materials that help students learning. I have never seen in my life so many tools to help kids with disabilities. The variety was impressive, they showed us high technology and low technology, making me realize that we don't need to spend a lot of money to help the students with disabilities. Some of the low technology that I saw consisted in the simple use of home-made vests, or simple tools to help the kids to sit correctly or to help them with the writing. Some of the high technology was the use of computers and special programs and iPads.
It was really interesting to see what are the many ways to help students with disability and to know that having a disability doesn't automatically equal to have disadvantaged comparative to the other kids.
As a teacher I would try to find all the information that I can about the disability that the students have and I would talk with the special teacher and with the parents so that way I can try to have the more information possible to help my students.