Brooke Konefsky
4/26/12
ISTC 301
Assistive Technology: Impact on Education, Employment, and
Independence of Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Source: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation; 2009, Vol. 30 Issue 2, p99-110, 12p
The article Assistive Technology: Impact on Education, Employment, and Independence of
Individuals with Physical Disabilities discusses how assistive technology impacts people with physical
disabilities in their daily lives. The article argues that in order for assistive technology to be ideal it must
be affordable, maintainable, and have a design quality that enables the intended assistance. The article
seeks to address the impact assistive technology can have on education, employment, and
independence for people with physical disabilities when all of these conditions are met.
Disabilities are becoming more and more common for people in America as individuals are living
much longer and there is a much higher survival rate for those with severe injuries. Assistive technology
allows these individuals an improved functional independence and minimizes barriers creating more
opportunities for integration and participation.
When it comes to higher education, the National Organization on Disability found that
individuals with disabilities are less likely than their non-disabled peers to complete college. The lack of
or inaccessibility of assistive technology is one of the prime barriers for individuals with disabilities in
higher education institutions. Since a higher education is even more necessary in today’s growing times,
it is important that these individuals receive the assistance they need in order to grow and live
independently. Some forms of assistive technology that are seen in an educational setting include voice
recognition systems, reading machines, and text enlargement systems.
The National Organization on Disability found that of all working age (18–64) persons with
disabilities, only 35% were employed full-or part-time, compared to 78% of working age individuals
without disabilities. However, having the right assistive technology devices could mean the difference
between poverty and earning a living for many of these individuals. Assistive technology is an important
feature for people with disabilities who are working because it allows them to complete more tasks in a
way that caters to their individual needs. The success of assistive technology at the workplace for
people with disabilities also depends on workers and employers having positive attitudes and being
flexible.
Assistive technology is important to participating fully in life situations and can even provide
some people with the ability to live independently. The use of assistive technology allows people with
disabilities to go about their lives and perform tasks that they normally could not perform without the
assistance, providing them with a form of independence.
Overall, this article argues for the benefits of assistive technology to allow individuals with
disabilities to have more independence in education, employment, and their everyday lives. It provides
many research findings to support the benefits of assistive technology and aims to demonstrate the
outcomes and independence it can provide for individuals with disabilities.
Bibliography
Stumbo, N. J. (2009). Assistive technology: Impact on education, employment, and independence of
individuals with physical disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 99-110.