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)
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
No comments:
Post a Comment