Connecting to Learn: Educational and Assistive Technology for People With Disabilities

by Marcia J. Scherer

Dr. Scherer, author of the highly acclaimed Living in the State of How Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities , explores the way disabilities, especially those involving the senses, can lead to isolation and a lack of "connectedness," and how this in turn leads to learning difficulties. She then provides a step-by-step model for assessing and evaluating individual students on their needs and finding the right technology to help each student.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Over the years I have learned that technology has not always resulted in the easier and better life we envisioned! But we can pretty much choose to use a technology – or not. Think for a moment, however, about what it must be like for someone who does not have that choice. For millions of people who can’t walk, or eat independently, or just jump in a car and drive off, that choice is gone. From their examples we can learn about how to best apply technology in our own lives.

I have written numerous articles and books on this subject, which you see listed below. "Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities" traces the lives and decisions of several individuals with disabilities beginning in 1985. I learned that there were very distinct differences between individuals with disabilities who were users of technology and those who were non-users. It has do with the make up of the person and what makes him or her a unique individual, the supports and resources available, and the nature of the technology itself and need for it.

I am a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in rehabilitation psychology, applied experimental and engineering psychology as well as evaluation, measurement and statistics. I am also a fellow of the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine. While my primary job is President, Institute for Matching Person & Technology, I am additionally a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

When it comes to realizing benefit from technology use, the user's personal preferences reign!