[Trainer-talk] IPad sets blind students back 10 years in comparison to their peers?

[Dean Martineau]

The notion that highly-accessible technology sets the student back ten years
doesn't make a lot of sense.  That doesn't mean that everybody should get an
iOS device, though I think the majority could do far worse.  I doubt these
invisible experts. 

Dean


-----Original Message-----
From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Laine Amoureux
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 3:31 PM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
Subject: [Trainer-talk] IPad sets blind students back 10 years in comparison
to their peers?

sitting in on a meeting recently, a parent of a blind student told me
that the assistive technology experts *(ATP's) they have spoken to
recently indicate that giving blind children an IPad or other IOS
device sets them back 10 years in comparison to their sighted peers.
This parent was unable to support this statement, an unable to provide
me with more information to support this statement, and was even more
unwilling to provide me with the names of sed experts...
I am wondering if anyone else has heard a similar sstatement, or could
supply me with any supporting arguments?
I am an IOS advocate, and while I recognise there are some
limitations, and a lot of work that can be done to improve the Braille
access (which isn't awful), I also see the enormace bennefits... and
have my own reasons for recommending IPads, particularly, to college
students... I'd be happy to share if anyone is interested... but I
have a feeling I would be preaching to the choir... I am interested to
learn about any evidence supporting this parent's claim though, just
in case I am mistaken...
Thank you,
Laine amoureux
Statewide Assistive Technologist
Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

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