Tracy had an eye-opening lecture about how tech and students with varying disabilities. Often disabled students can be denied tech, have outdated tools, or not enough access or knowledge to sufficiently use them. Even though tech is often used as a communication tool for these students, it can often be removed from students as a punishment.The parents of these students also want more access to and training in tech. For example, Fresh Grade is something seemingly simple and often used, yet it should not be assumed that all parents know how to use it.  

It seems in many cases that to access full support, the student needs to have an official designation, as this relates to funding. Unfortunately, there are huge waitlists for assessments, and students should not have to wait to access the proper tools to aid their learning.

Tracy mentioned ‘ableism’ which is a social prejudice against people with disabilities; thinking that they are less and that their designation defines them. As we live in a capitalist society, we are often valued by our work and our ability to work. 

We should have engaging, collaborative meetings with unions, principals, students and families to make sure these students are heard and helped. No one should be excluded or fall through the cracks. 

Right after this class, I went to visit my practicum placement for the first time. I am in a grade 1 and there were three students with varying disabilities. One of them was hard of hearing and had a hearing device. To help him, the teacher wore a microphone around her neck, that was connected to some speakers in the room. She said all of the rooms in the school had these, and they were often used in classes where no one had a hearing impairment, for the sake of the teacher not having to yell, and the students being able to hear even in the back. I thought this was great. It reminds me of something our class was told last year by some educators: If you find something that benefits one student, it will likely also benefit the rest of the class. The Grade 1s were doing a show-and-tell when I arrived, and the teacher gave the necklace-like microphone to one of the kids when it was their time to present, and they seemed really used to it.