Infinitec presents Sandburg seventh-grader with technology award
Infinitec North, the assistive technology program of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago, presented Sean N., a seventh-grader at Carl Sandburg Junior High, Rolling Meadows, with the 2016 Technology Achievement Award during its annual awards banquet at The Cotillion in Palatine.
Sean was nominated for this award, which honors students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements using assistive technology, by Gianna Guskey, his vision teacher; Lauren Cook, his speech/language pathologist; and Karen Aprile, his special education teacher.
"Sean is a lovable, sometimes stubborn, funny, and smart 12-year-old boy who enjoys communicating all he knows to his peers, teachers, and family," said Aprile. "His best characteristic is his desire to communicate and share his sense of humor and knowledge with everyone."
Diagnosed with Down syndrome, hypotonia, autism and impaired visions, Sean participates in a self-contained multiple needs classroom at Sandburg by using the Tobii Dynavox Compass app on an iPad to express himself independently.
Using this assistive technology, he answers "Who, What, When, Where, and Why?" questions, expresses his wants and needs throughout his daily routines, participates in instructional activities, interacts with his classmates and teachers, and displays his unique sense of humor and lovable personality.
He has also increased his verbalizations since he began using this technology, as he is now able to vocalize many words and put together two- to four-word phrases.
Infinitec means "infinite potential through technology," and the mission of Infinitec, Inc., is to advance independence and promote inclusive opportunities for children and adults with disabilities through technology.
The Infinitec North awards program honors students from the North suburbs for their achievements in using assistive technology in school. The students selected have dramatically increased their independence by using technology such as special software, adapted wheelchairs, augmentative communications devices and other equipment and approaches.