Module 13 Adaptive and assistive technologies, Part II

Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Disability
Childhood disabilities are on the rise, and Wise mentioned that technological improvements in the physical environment need to be done to lessen childhood disabilities and injury.  Focusing on better housing, poison preventing packaging, and safer roads can help make the child's life experiences safer.  "This article investigate several specific facets of this transformation: the influence of technological change on the  definition of disability, and the ability of the current delivery system to afford access to emerging technologies designed to prevent and reduce the impact of disabling conditions in children." (Wise 2)  Technology is defined as scientific knowledge that is directed and applied to help improve life and well being. Disability is summarized as a health-related limitation that is desired by society.  Technology when first introduced can be dramatically good and bad for a persons life.  An example is the cell phone, we are able to text and call on it anywhere we want but it creates a large burden on the blind individuals. It also prevents an individual from using it who has a physical disability,that will be unable to touch the buttons on the cell phone.  Preventative technologies have helped vaccine individual to reduce and eliminate diseases that were causing disabilities.  There is also genetic screening of the fetus to identify if the fetus has a genetic disability, this is very controversial in society because many ethical and moral questions arise.  Therapeutic technologies are greatly influenced by "technical interventions, including medications, specialized medical and educational services and a variety of assisting devices." (5) 9 to 15 percent of children in the United States require prescribed medication for on going health issues.  36% of children require glasses, 5% require a mobility service, and 7% hearing care. Technical advances are reshaping children's life with disabilities.  With these technological advances, children are able to life a more independent and enjoyable life.  There are therapeutic and preventative technologies that are being offered to children that enables these children the chance to live a successful life, where in the past it would have been difficult.

Reflection
When I read about the ethical and moral issues of terminating a pregnancy, it kind of made me upset a bit.  With new technologies out there and the ability to diagnose genetic disease such as trisomy 21 and cystic fibrosis, but to my delight there are ways that this could be corrected by fetus surgeries.  It is also great to hear that technology advancements is happening all over the world and not just in the United States.  For example, in Finland 77% of families benefit  from assistive devices for feeding, dressing and hygiene.  While I was reading, I caught myself a couple of times, wondering why we are reading this article because it seemed that the audience would that of the medical background but the more I read the more I understood.  When the disability is addressed and the correction is made to their everyday life, there learning will be enhanced because the student will not be worried about the obstacles that life is giving them.  They will be able to focus more on their learning and not the disability.