Module 8

__ Module 8 Assignments __ // The broad focus of Module Eight is what new LMSs need to know and understand about meeting the needs of special needs students. //

//** Reflections: **//

 Throughout my life I have known and worked with people with varying needs and disabilities.My older brother has a pretty severe learning disability, and I watched he and my parents struggle and fight for several years just to ensure he “get through” his education and graduate. He graduated from college with his B.A. the same year that I did, even though he began three years before me, yet we were all more excited for his accomplishment than mine.  During my four years of high school, I babysat and tutored my young next door neighbor, Ben who has severe Autism. I’ve known Ben since he was 2, and been there to celebrate the “big wins” – when he first learned to say “Hi” and “Bye,” when he began to address me by name, when he was potty trained, when learned to write his name. I accompanied him to Religion School, where we had some pretty intense moments. One involved a tempter tantrum in which he head butted me in front of a room of confused first graders.

 When I was teaching, I had five students who were taken out for ESL classes, and three other students with IEPs of different sorts.

 During my time at the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities, I worked very closely with six individuals with different disabilities: A young man who suffered severe brain trauma and now is non-verbal with limited mobility; three young women with Cerebral Palsy and extremely different abilities; a man with severe learning disabilities and limited mobility; and a man who had been paralyzed during the Vietnam War.

 My whole life, I have been sensitive to the varying needs of those around me, especially children who are trying to learn the best that they can. What is most notable to me, is how there is no “one size fits all” approach to meeting the needs of individuals.

 With this background, I am extremely glad and appreciative to have read of some several “easy” changes and solutions that can be introduced to a library setting in order to offer differently-abled individuals access to the tools and resources they need.

 I really think all of the tools mentioned in this module were great. Some overlapped, but that’s okay. I narrowed down the five that I would start with as an LMS.

1. A Skilled, Knowledgeable librarian or media specialist, who listens to students 2. Universal design in the library or media center. 3. ZoomText 4. A variety of accessories for students with varying degrees of dexterity 5. iPads or some other interactive technology
 * Does this one really need explanation? If you don’t have this, you can’t have much…
 * This covers the basics to make sure the space and tools are accessible for as many as possible.
 * I’ve seen this in action at a school for the Blind and Seeing Impaired…it’s pretty awesome.
 * Several of my coworkers used joysticks and keyboard covers. It gave them a greater level of independence.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">From working with kids who have Autism, I know that interactivity can make a huge difference. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are great aps on the iPad for ESL students, hearing impaired students, verbally impaired students (like creating sign boards, there are apps that provide pictures to allow someone to convey meaning), and there are endless possibilities for a student who might not interactive well with other students, but is seeking independence and control.