This past academic year I have been teaching a Form 2 student who is disabled. He cannot walk, so he is wheelchair bound. Some other students take turns to wheel him around and assist him in getting his things in and out of his bookbag. He has limited use of his hands so that turning pages and writing are somewhat laborious for him. His handicaps though, are only physical because he reads quite well, participates eagerly and intelligently in class discussions, generally produces good work and is socially well-adjusted.
I believe however, that there is still a lot of untapped potential in this fourteen year old. How I would love to introduce him to electronic books and all the other Web 2.0 technologies with which I myself have recently become acquainted. In particular, e-books would free his hands from having to turn pages and manipulate pens and pencils. He would be able to read many more books in a shorter time, express himself more extensively by creating his own e-books and generally develop literacy skills faster and more independently. He is already a motivated student, so that with e-books and the entire range of Web 2.0 technologies at his disposal, there should be no stopping him. It might be a good idea for the government to provide laptops to the nation's disabled children as well.
I too have worked with a student who has very short limbs. He is quite resilient and while writing is a challenge, he tries. I have seen him at work on the computer and was impressed. I believe introducing him to the new literacies will be an asset. His confidence will grow and no doubt he will respond a lot better in his academics.
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