Technology/Chapter 9 Read Mary Mcclain

Technology/Chapter 9

Read Mary McClain story in Chapter 9, then consider the AT needs of a learner in transition. Please identify and discuss four specific strategies (one by one).

Mary McClain is a high school student receiving special education services. Initially she began receiving the services in elementary school, when a mild learning disability was diagnosed. An auto accident in her early teen years left Mary with further impairments, necessitating more services prescribed in her Individualized Education Plan (IEP). As Mary prepares to graduate from high school, she has concerns about her potential for college success, her career options, and successful independent living. She relies on the special education department at her school to work with her teachers on making accommodations; Mary knows that she will have to advocate for herself in college and later when she is in the workplace.

There are four strategies a special needs student like Mary can use to help prepare for her transition beyond high school. First, while Mary is in high school, she can participate in a service-learning project. The special education team can help identify and place her. Mary will gain some work experience outside the school setting and in so doing will be able to see what kinds of challenges she might face. Because she is still a high school student, she will be able to work with her team on strategies she can bring to the workplace to be successful. The special education team may be able to work directly with the employer as well.

Second, Mary can get a part-time job related to the medical field in which she wants to work. Since her mother is a nurse, she may be able to get Mary a job at the hospital. Mary will have the opportunity to see what challenges she faces in the world of work and strategize with her special education team.

As Beard points out, "many young adults with disabilities are ill prepared to meet the significant demands of accessing postsecondary education." The service learning project and part-time employment may provide Mary with some direction for her future career. She can then make a decision about the education and training she will need to prepare her for her chosen field. In preparation for college, Mary's team has advised her to improve her communications skills, a third strategy. Mary has already put together a presentation highlighting her accomplishments without drawing attention to her challenges. Mary can continue to hone her presentation skills. She can learn to use assistive software such as Speaker, designed for people with speech impediments. The program lets them design a voice to say whatever they want. She might experiment with a voice recognition program such as Dragon to help write papers in college; it may or may not work for her, depending on the degree of her speech impediment.