What kind of president will Obama be?

What kind of President will Obama be?

The United States of America is a young powerful nation founded by emigrants from different countries with mixed cultures, social status, education and religions, led and represented by the President. The President of the United States of America is the head of state and of the government. Nowadays, this young nation counts with forty three former Presidents, all of them white. Thus, we are living a historic moment where finally the first African-American has been elected, Barack Hussein Obama II our forty-fourth President and Commander in Chief.

The colonization of North America brought mostly white Europeans including Spanish, Dutch, English, French, Swedish and Portuguese. Some of them brought slaves that worked without monetary compensation in the houses and farms. Slavery was an issue that brought differences among Americans that led to the civil war (1849-1865), a struggle between the North and the South to emancipate nearly four million slaves. During this period the President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and freed millions of slaves in the United States. Lincoln was a defender of the rights and equality among Americans. Even though, he was a great President, there were people that didn’t support his decision and later on he was assassinated during his presidency. (President of the United States, n.d., p. 1, 6 & 8)

These days, racism is evident and African-Americans struggle day after day trying to overcome discrimination. It is within this context that an African-American President was elected, Barack Hussein Obama II, a democrat, Christian, African-American and forty seven year old lawyer. I believe that Obama with his complex ethnic inheritance, born in Hawaii, with a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas, a stepfather from Indonesia, raised in Indonesia and Hawaii, has the sensibility to understand the needs of the poor and minorities. (Meet the candidate, n.d.) He advocates for changes in a moment which the nation faces an undeclared war and one of the major economic crisis in the country’s history, issues that concern each family in America.

Obama is a President who counts with the most outstanding recollection of funds in history and most of them particularly coming from small donations, thus turning down public financing. (Krigman, 2008) We may as well assume that he has the approval and backup of individuals. During his campaign the optimism and enthusiasm was evident and his path towards presidency was getting stronger as days pass making this campaign not a campaign of one man but of a country. His victory was a nation’s victory, which sparked celebrations in numerous cities.

The reason for his victory seems evident. Obama emphasized the issues of energy independence, universal health care, and rapidly ending the Iraq War. (It’s your choice, n.d.) I consider these three issues as critical part of the economy; the energy independence in order to avoid the manipulation of the economies by the countries that export petroleum mining the families economies. If we consider the health care as it is today we realize how people deal with no health plans and if they have it coverage, still, is not appropriate to their needs. The universal health care has been proven in countries like Canada and France as an excellent option. Then, when I analyze the Irak War I can assure that it drains the USA economy and creates conflicts with the allies and within the country.

He offers a desperate nation, the possibility of changes that will bring them back to a better life not only as a nation but as individuals, being this, an interesting and intelligent approach. However, many people may think that he does not have the experience nor the connections to meet all his goals. But his wisdom and/or the counseling guided him to incorporate into his team a vicepresident and cabinet persons that have the know-how, the knowledge and experience which enable them to start the work immediately. He incorporated Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. to his team as the Vice President, a catholic, former senator with vast experience in foreign relations and judiciary matters. He also counts with Timothy Geithner, who served with former President Clinton as the undersecretary of treasury for international affairs, as Secretary of Treasury; Hillary Clinton, former senator of New York who has the diplomatic and business international connections, as Secretary of State and Bill Richardson, who served as United Nations Ambassador and Secretary of Energy in Clinton’s administration, Secretary of Commerce; all of them with outstanding credentials and experience. (Transition team, 2008)

We can debate about the importance of experience in the different fields in which they will work, but I am certain that the President has been assertive in his designations. He is organizing everything in order to run nicely since day one instead of bringing in persons to learn the work and procedures, which could delay their performance.

Now, when we evaluate his political positions, we perceive they are strong, consistent, and well designed. This is evident with Irak’s war budget cuts and slowing down the development of new weapons. He believes in diplomacy as the method to eliminate the nuclear weapon development and use; he wants to reduce the country stockpile. He emphasizes in new approaches to solve world government’s discrepancies. These positions show that he has been analyzing it for a long time before becoming President and his political maturity.

Within the country there are some interesting proposals, we can see the tax reform which eliminates taxes to senior citizens with an income of less than $50,000.00 per year in a moment where the baby boomers are considered an important percentage of the population. He also plans to eliminate the social security cap which could bring back senior citizens to the labor field. (Taylor, 2008)

I believe that Barack Hussein Obama II is going to be a great president. His presidency is going to demonstrate that the intellect and great capacity is not exclusive of a certain race. On the contrary, he is going to show the world that we live in a time where equality is fundamental to progress. He has chosen an efficient team and has organized everything. For him there is no time to lose, time is money, and also passes fast so they started to work immediately. Even before the election results, everything was coordinated and ready, showing their commitment with the country. The transitions between administrations started organized, fast and diligently with fully cooperation from both parts. The elect President has the desire, the compromise, the wisdom, the knowledge, the counselors, the cabinet and the leadership to achieve the goals and changes he promised. I believe that the President has an excellent backup which will lead him to a compromise, functional, organize government which will give the country a great opportunity to evolve and to have a stronger economy. Barack Hussein Obama II is and will be one in a lifetime President.

Reference List

It’s your choice: How the candidates stand on the issues that matter to you. (n.d.) Retrieved December 5, 2008, from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

Krigman, E. (2008). Obama’s new communications director has grassroots fundraising experience. Retrieved December 5, 2008, from http://www.opensecrets.org

Meet the candidate. (n.d.) Retrieved December 5, 2008, from http://www.barackobama. com/learn/meet_barack.php

President of the United States. (n.d.). Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2008, from http://encarta.msn.com

Taylor, A. (2008, August 12). Obama: Seniors making under $50,000 wouldn’t pay income tax. The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2008, from http://huffingtonpost.com

Transition team- Barack Obama. (2008). The New New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2008, from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/us/series/ the_new_team/index.html

What kind of president Obama will be?

What kind of President Obama will be?

The United States of America is a young powerful nation founded by emigrants from different countries with mixed cultures, social status, education and religions; led and represented by the President. The President of the United States of America is the head of state and of the government, nowadays, this young nation counts with forty three former Presidents, all of them white. Now we are living an historic moment where finally the first African-American that runs for this position has been elected, Barack Hussein Obama II our forty-fourth President and Commander in Chief.

The colonization brought mostly white Europeans including Spanish, Dutch, English, French, Swedish, and Portuguese. Some of them brought slaves that worked without monetary compensation in the houses and farms. Slavery was an issue that brought differences among Americans that led to the civil war (1849-1865) a struggle between the North and the South to emancipate nearly four million slaves. During this period the President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and freed millions of slaves in the United States. Lincoln was a defender of the rights and equality among Americans. Even though he was a great President, there were people that didn’t support his decision and later on he was assassinated, during his presidency.

These days, racism is evident and African-Americans struggle day after day trying to overcome the discrimination. In this context a President was elected, Barack Hussein Obama II, a democrat, christian, African-American and forty seven years old lawyer. I believe that Obama with his complex ethnic inheritance, born in Hawaii, with a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas, a stepfather from Indonesia, raised in Indonesia and Hawaii, has the sensibility to understand the needs of the poor and minorities. He advocates for changes in a moment which the nation faces an undeclared war and one of the major economic crisis in the country history, issues which worries each family in America.

Obama emphasizes the issues of energy independence, universal health care and rapidly ending the Iraq War. He addresses to a desperate country, the possibility of changes that will bring them back to a better life not only as a country but as individual, being this an interesting and intelligent approach. However, many people may think that he does not have the experience not the connections to meet all his goals. But his wisdom and/or the counseling guided him to incorporate to his team a vice-president and cabinet persons that have the know-how, the knowledge and experience which enable them to start work immediately. He incorporates Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. to his team as the Vice President, a catholic, former senator with vast experience in foreign relations and judiciary matters. He also counts with Timothy Geithner, which served with former President Clinton as the undersecretary of treasury for international affairs, as Secretary of Treasury; Hillary Clinton, former senator of New York who has the diplomatic and business international connections, as Secretary of State and Bill Richardson, which served as United Nations Ambassador and Secretary of Energy in Clinton’s administration, Secretary of Commerce; all of them with outstanding credentials and experience.

I believe that Barack Hussein Obama II is going to be a great president. His presidency is going to demonstrate that the intellect and great capacity is not exclusive of a certain race. On the contrary, he is going to show to the world that we live in a world where equality is fundamental to progress. He has chosen an efficient team and has organized everything. For him there is no time to lose, time is money and also passes fast so they started to work immediately; before the election everything was coordinated and ready showing their compromise with the country. The transitions between administrations started organized, fast and diligently with fully cooperation from both parts. The elect President has the desire, the compromise, the wisdom, the knowledge, the counselors, the cabinet and the leadership to achieve the goals and changes he promised. I believe that the President has an excellent backup which will lead him to a compromise, functional, organize government which will give the country a great opportunity to evolve to a strong economy. Barack Hussein Obama II is and will be one in a lifetime President.

Digital divide in the education of individuals with physical disa

Digital divide in the education of individuals with physical disabilities in the United States

People with limitation to see, hear, talk, learn or do major life activities are destined to stay behind technologically speaking, that’s what many people think. The reason for this is that people with physical disabilities are people who require special treatment and/or special equipment in order to successfully perform in society. If we weren’t living in a “new technological era”, like today, this would be the case for people with disabilities. However, thanks to the importance of education, technology, and the period we are living in, this group is able to have web accessibility, which is when people“… are able to reach and use information and services regardless of the disability and of the technology used.” (Kurniawan & Zaphiris, 2006, p. 2). They have the opportunity to overcome the digital divide that they, usually, are victims to due to their condition. The digital divide is an inequality that exists in opportunities available to those with access to information and communication technology and those who do not enjoy this same access. Currently, there is a gap that is narrowing more and more with the help of federal legislations, development of software and educational courses.

Thirty six years ago, people that were different from the rest of the population or incapable to adapt to their surroundings where left aside. There was no consideration for them and no legislation that looked out for their rights until the 70’s. In 1973, the Rehabilitation Act was signed, the first time that people with disabilities were taken into account. This legislation’s main contributions were to define what an individual with disabilities is, that is someone that has a “… history of, or who are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities …” and to prohibit discrimination, based on their disability, from public or private programs and activities receiving federal funds (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.). In 1975, the importance to establish a federal law that ensure that schools provides the educational needs for students with disabilities in the United States of America was initially recognized through the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.

Overtime, these original legislations were modified and nowadays are in effect through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and The Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA). The first legislation mentioned above, ADA, prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in workplace, school and other settings, like employment agency, labor union and so on. It does not provide funding for neither services nor accomodation. While IDEA, an updated version of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, does provides federal funds in order to make special education services accessible and also gives specific requirements in order to guarantee a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities. (IDEA Parent Guide, 2006, p. 5 & 71)

We must remember that the world, the laws and society are dynamic and with the rise of new technology, new considerations were taken to account. In 1996 the United States Department of Justice stated that “Covered entities that use the Internet for communications regarding their programs, goods or services must be prepared to offer those communications through accessible means as well.". Including distance learning courses where qualified students with disabilities are enroll. (Burgstahler, 2002, p. 9-10)

These civil rights are an encouragement to those who never claim equality in education. It is a door that has opened the access and the development of programs and equipment that allowed the expansion of technology and web accessibility among people with disability. During the previous years there has been an increase in the development of assistive technology for different impairments, especially to those with physical limitations. Someone that is blind won’t be able to read the screen, see pictures or clips, Yet, they can use software like JAWS by Fischer Scientific that is a screen reader that has been translated into 17 languages worldwide. A screen reader converts text to sounds allowing the user to hear the content of the screen, including, web pages. Still, the software does not work on pictures and a way to know the content of the picture is by writing a description of the image and in that way the screen reader can comply with its function. Furthermore, people with visual problems, that are legally but not totally blind, can use software that permits them to enlarge screen images. (Foley & Regan, 2002, p. 3)

Nevertheless, people with hearing impairment may have trouble with web sites that include audio. A way to resolve this problem is to add subtitles to clips or to convert the audio to text. Another limitation for deaf students is that they can’t interact through voice chat, however they can communicate with others through videoconference, by using sign language. On the other hand, students with mobility limitation can make use of one or both type of these conference technologies. But, they won’t be able to successfully make use of the mouse. Instead they can “replace” the use of a mouse by using computers that are touch screen, use head pointers, speech control and some other features that the computer provides. As well, they can utilize software where they can say what they want to write, voice synthesizer, without having to type it and spending a lot of time. The impairment that won’t be so affected, while using the computer, are those with speech impairment. Even though, they cannot participate efficiently in voice chats. (Sumari, Carr & Ngovo, 2006, p. 8-9)

Assistive technology is the instrument that allows people with disability to have web accessibility. It provides eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, voice to the dumb and free movement to those with mobility problems. The development and advancement of new equipment and software for people with impairments is not only an opportunity to reach and be part of this new and parallel world but is a call for technological equality. It is a call that everybody should take advantage of and support it because nobody is exempt from accidents and tragedies and people that today don’t suffer any condition, in the future they could have a physical impairment. In some way or another, directly or indirectly, everybody should be concern of any inequality that still alive.

Many universities are incorporating and making accessible seats within the general population computer spaces. In the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey in the library there is a place where students with disabilities can use specialized computers, based on their needs. However, a center where students without disabilities usually use the computer, are equipped a workstation with a “headmouse”, that works as an alternative mouse, and with enough space for a wheelchair. This action allows the integration of students and also provides a nearer place where they can use the computer without having to go all the way down to the library.

As well there are universities that offer distance-learning courses like the University of Maryland University College. The objective of distance learning courses, that is open to all types of students, is to provide“... equal learning opportunities to students and instructors with disabilities and help them to fully overcome digital barriers and participate effectively in the Web environment”, this may be achieved with a universal design of the web pages (Sumari, Carr & Ngovo, 2006, p. 13). The distance learning course provides the student with disability the chance to be just as any other student in the same course. It permits students to develop without insecurities and worry of what other people may think about them. It is an opportunity to educate themselves, be prepared to compete in this world and to feel part of their surroundings.

Since many educational institutions and distance learning courses require that all web pages follow some guidelines about accessibility is why many people have demonstrated their concern through the develop of designs and implementation of mechanisms that allows individuals with disabilities to efficiently use and take advantage of information technology. Among these are Foley and Regan who in 2002 wrote and outlined a process-based approach to accessibility policy implementation. Furthermore, there are web sites like Accessibility in Distance Education (ADE), managed by the University of Maryland University College, that provides a hand to faculty teaching students with disabilities by pointing out ways to resolve some problems that students may have while using Web-based resources. As well, it provides information about different types of disabilities, relevant laws and among other things.

Many people will think that the web brought us another issue to be concerned, an issue that will divide us even more. However this is not true, because the implementation of these different laws, the development of innovative software and different educational options have provided students with disability the opportunity to be part of this discovery. Furthermore, it has permitted students to developed and reach professional degrees without having to leave their homes. The web is a “parallel world” a place where people, with or without disabilities, can be themselves without being categorized. It allows people from around the world to interact and express their feelings and thoughts without restrictions. We are able to share with people that we never thought we could meet, learn things that we didn’t knew existed and visit unknown places around the globe without getting out of the chair.

Thanks to many dedicated people and all the work done to build the bridge that connects the digital divide, that was at the beginning, we live in a world where the social divide is being overcome, as a result of the emergence of new technology and the web. We have in our hands the instruments and the support that this group of people deserves, they only have to reach out and look for them. If there is a digital divide among these people, it is due to those who aren’t aware of the resources that are available and the privileges that this century is bringing them. In other words, if there is still people that remain in the dark or aren’t interested, then they are responsible for contributing to the existence of that digital and social divide. Even those that may feel economically limited, must know that this is not really a limitation but an aspiration to look further. In such way they will feel part of the technology and their surroundings. Then they will realize that things have to change, that these days everyone counts and that everybody has rights to triumph. We, the people have to create awareness that even if we are different we must look for those things that unify us as community. We have the tools to give everybody a chance to succeed, an opportunity to develop as individuals, as human beings, with aspiration, passions and dreams. It is the time to overcome the social and technological division that has existed for so long. In that way, we will be the future of this new well educated and integrated technological community. Some people may say, there is a bridge between the digital and social divide, it is their choice to cross the bridge.

Reference List

Burgstahler, S. (2002). Distance learning: Universal design, universal access. AACE Journal, 10 (1),

32-61. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from EdITLib Digital Library for Information Technology and Education.

Cortiella, C. (2006). IDEA parent guide: A comprehensive guide to your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). New York, NY: National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED495879)

Foley, A., & Regan, B. (2002). Web design for accessibility: Policies and practice. AACE Journal. 10 (1), 62-80. Retrieved November 18, 2008, from EdITLib Digital Library for Information Technology and Education.

Kurniawan, S., & Zaphiris, P. (Eds.). (2006). Advances in universal web design and evaluation: Research, trends and opportunities. Retrieved November 19, 2008, from http://books.google.com

Sumari, M., Carr, E., & Ngovo, M. N. (2006). Running head: Diversity, disability, and geographic digital divide. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED492190)

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Your rights under section 504 of the rehabilitation act. Retrieved November 19, 2008, from http://www.hhs.gov/ ocr/504.html