Volume 1, Number 5
I
by Michael Sheehan
If D a v ~ d had employed sonal independence and asonly the g ~ f t sgranted him by sistlve technology had benature in his contest w ~ t h come as clear as that between
- xie$ depictthe effortsof those
per year. Even for those whose odds could use some w b personal tendencies evening-indiviWs whose opted more for lending a ordinary day-t-y b helping foot than a hand, the Learning Disabilities tioning has been short- message was clear; any decircuited by accident of ei- gree of increased indepemdt h e b i d or c r c s , mee w apmd investment. or andwltohaveac@edone more "dis*-abilities. em,whose ~~y disabled popu- <. While David's adaptive lab nudered an e s h a t - ' technology overcame the. ed 600,000, f o h e d a * relative disability of size and historical human services strength, the finhings of the bent and got onthe independThe child or adult with a learning disability may manifest no outward physical signs of this troubling disability. In truth, science of the 21st century ence/technology bandwagon until approximately 20 years ago, the fact that some apparently bright individuals had significant difficulty when learning are being applied to a signi- early, math, reading or spelling skills, was as mystifying to psychologists and educators as it was to the learner. Now, we know ficantly broader spectrum of In late 1985, Governor that these individuals are not unable to learn. Many have become accomplished in medicine, entertainment, athletics, en- need. Both illustrate creative Perpich announced a 19gineering and business, art, music or mechanical arts. Many learning disabled adults have developed complex and marvelous response to the requirements member Issue Team on strategies for coping with their inability to read, write or do math in a society which places enormous emphasis on these of the circumstance at hand. Technology for People with skills. They have mastered coping. Yet, because of a neurological difference, these individuals process language or math Disabilities, created to fordifferently, find the development of these skills excruciatingly difficult and must be taught in with less traditional strategies. Relative Inloncy mally explore the potential. Nith specific teaching strategies, learning can take place. While the formal field of The report they ultimateWhat is a learning disability? Learning disabilities in children has been defined by PL 94-142 but a comprehensivedefini- adaptive, or assistive, tech- ly issued was based on two ion relating to adults has yet to be devised. Likewise there is no definitive list of the qualities of an individual with such nology is in its dative infan- key terms: DISABILITYI disability. Some or all of the following may be chronically manifested in varying degrees of severity: cv. its growth curve todav any c o ~ o that n challenges &Hes Gth description a & or functionthe development Difficulty with o r g a n h t i d d skills gravity. The reasons are ing of an individual, such as Difficulty mastering language and math skills often demonstrated by unusual number of reversed both personal and pragmat- sensory,physical, mental or patterns, omissions, substitatbm. Spell@ is especially problematic. ic. For an accurate descrip- emotional impairments; Difficulty with space and time concepts. tion of the personal motiva- term is used interchaugeably Difficulty with words-remembering them, pronouncing rhem (but not a speech problem). tion, one would need either with "functional limitation". It is suspected that learning disabilities are genetic in origin. A learning disability is not solely the result of educa& be, or love, a p s w v e TECHNOLOGY-the leprivation, emotional difficulties or restricted meartal capabilities. beneficiary of assistive tech- physical sciences and the Children with suspected learning disabilities may be testad and served through individual school districts. Testing and nology. processes of their applicaeducational services are also available to adults who are enrolled in colleges or universities through the office for students on the pmgmatic side, tion, including those devices HANDICAP cont. on p. 9 the relationship bemeen perTECH cont. on p. 4
wZ Finding Help Hidden Handicap.,--
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Access Press
October 1990
handful of employees were creeps, who take advantage ofvulnerable peoplewhouse the system made some news story for a few days. Headlines are the name of the game for the daily newspapers - statistics are boring. The RTB reacted properly with indignation and promises to set up better methods of reporting and hiring. I think this is right, but I think the public was misled by the series of stories. The system delivers well over 100,000 rides every month, sometimes as many as 140,000. This is not
lem with such emotional ideas are for improving our consequences could damage quality of life. After reading it for all of us. I think Mr. his 'position paper' (printed Ehrlichmann and his staff in last month's issue), I becan cope with the problem lieve he has listened and actwithout new legislation, and ed on what people have told urge all concerned to let him and he will continue to * W s o . SenatorBoschwitz, on them do their jobs. the other hand, has been running commercials portray**** After studying the candi- ing himself as the friend of dates for the U.S. Senate the farmer, people on Social seat, I have decided to give Security and hungry school my support to Paul Well- children. While the pictures stone. I have had the oppor- he's showing us on TV make tunity to meet and discuss the him look like everyone is doissues with Mr. Wellstone a ing well, the fact is our counnumber of times. Each time try is in terrible trouble from I have come away feeling the horrendous deficit, the 4~
with no end in sight. Mr. Boschwitz never talks about these issues in his commercials. They are not warm, comfortable and full of kindly smiles. We need someone willing to face the issues, someone willing to go to Washington D.C. and work on them rather than raising money for the next election. I am urging everyone to get out and vote November 6th. I have heard many people say 'it won't matter if I vote or not. Things just will stay the same'. It is not true! Our quality of life is at stake. We still have many things to
WILLIE %ELDER Willie Fdderg;evtlopeda safety lamp for wheelchairs. r
wheelchair. Willie's design utilizes a 4.5 volt lamp; how-
GARY DOMSTRAND
DAN BICKELL
If You Accept the Refrain, VA & Medicare approved For A Test Drive, Call
If You Want to Be Noted, Make Sure You've Voted! 'COMPLETE REMODELINO SERVICE
NEW CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCED REMODELERS FOR THE HANDWPED
training manuals and brochures and a sales force. Gary met the goals of the focus group and developed a series of electronic magnification devices that will read prescriptions, small directions, thermometers, books, magazines and maps. For more information, please contact Gary at 560-8080. The Governor's Advisory Council would also like to recognize fellow council member David Schwartzkopf who was given the Disabled American of the Year Award by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. David, who was presented with the award by President Bush earlier this month, is an executive on loan from IBM Corporation in Rochester, is currently serving as assistant commissioner of the Division of Rehabilitation Services in the MinnesotaDepartment of Jobs and Training. Congratulations David, and the 1990 Governor's I Award winners!
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MPLS uc. +901
METRO MOBILITY & M.A. PROVIDERS