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Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’

By caroline | February 3, 2010

Ann Heelan, executive director of AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability), recently had an excellent piece in The Irish Times.

A key point in the article states:

” Children with disabilities can learn as much as other children when given the right tools and the right learning environment. Technology can make a significant difference and resources, such as electronic textbooks and voice-activated software, would enable the child to keep up with the work of the class independently. ”

This point is often overlooked when parents and educators make decisions about a child’s education. Furthermore, the child is exposed to technology from an early age, and may develop the exact skills that employers need.

As Heelan notes,

” The economic reality of hi-tech jobs in a fast-changing world means that employers need problem solvers, creative thinkers and technical experts. Many children with disabilities … are great outside-the-box thinkers – they see the world differently. They think laterally and make great leaps in understanding, seeing links and connectedness others do not see. Many are highly motivated, having had to negotiate an unwelcoming world.”

Giving these children a chance in the first place, can be all that’s needed. Then they have more chance to gain key social and life skills for future use.

Topics: Irish Deaf Kids | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’”

1. How Educational Software Benefits Deaf Students | irish deaf kids Says:
   April 15th, 2010 at 3:29 pm

   [...] Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’ [...]

2. Hearing Aids + Learning = Education | irish deaf kids Says:
   August 11th, 2010 at 10:36 am

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3. US Deaf Educator Shares Essential Teaching Tips | irish deaf kids Says:
   September 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 pm

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4. Positive Attitudes & Actions For Inclusion (Event) | irish deaf kids Says:
   October 8th, 2010 at 11:15 am

   [...] Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’ [...]

5. A Journalist in a Blog » How Educational Software Benefits Deaf Students Says:
   October 10th, 2010 at 7:35 pm

   [...] Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’ [...]

6. National Audiology Review To Tackle Waiting Lists | irish deaf kids Says:
   November 21st, 2010 at 3:50 pm

   [...] Schools ‘Must Change Their Attitude To Disability’ [...]

7. Caroline Says:
   May 18th, 2011 at 7:03 am

   Disability is not a bar to learning: Ann Heelan, May 2011 http://bit.ly/iexruS

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