Jamie Diemert response to Megan Giesen

I found your paper very interesting. It wasn't until the classes I had this semester I realized that assistive technology didn't have to be "technology". I wish I would of had your paper to read awhile ago. I knew there were things like pencil grips, large face computers and calculators and such but did not realize those would be considered assistive technology. It is great to see how these types of aides can be used in daily instruction and life without making individuals feel "different" from their peers. I use dojo in my classroom everyday and love how it can be used equally with all students for positive and negative behaviors. I love how parents are involved with daily activities and have recently learned that I can send pictures included in messages to show parents what is going on in the classroom. We are now using it to help a parent gather data and evidence that her son may have a disability. I am able to capture behaviors and not only give written examples but I can show her too. The things that computers can do for students with hearing or visual problems is amazing. It makes nothing seem impossible to help build inclusive classrooms. Thank you for doing your research and I hope if people are more like me and don't know that much about the assistive technology they can read more papers like yours.