Dist. 15 special needs student receives technology award

Ryan Maude, a first grader at Winston Campus Elementary in Palatine, has been selected as a winner of the 2011 Technology Achievement Award presented by Infinitec North, the assistive technology program of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago. Ryan will be presented with the honor at an April 28 awards banquet that will be held at The Cotillion in Palatine.

Ryan is in Kim Morelli's first- and second-grade class at Winston, but he and Chris Rossdeutcher, his one-to-one aide, are at times included in Sharon Meyer's first-grade class, as well. Ryan, who has cerebral palsy, uses an electric wheelchair with a joystick to get everywhere he needs to go, and, with assistance from Cherie Laufenberg and Sheri Beattie, his assistive technology and augmentative communication teachers, he also uses a Dynavox VMax+, an augmentive and alternative communication device, and a variety of other assistive technology resources to learn and communicate.

For example, he uses an Access IT to transfer information from these devices to a computer, which allows him to read and write and work on his assignments by using a joystick to navigate various programs. However, he also uses this technology to develop friendships by talking to his classmates, who he greets by name each day. The technology has allowed him to be “a silly first-grade boy” enabling him to share his unique personality and interests. His entire class knows of his love of applesauce, Woody from Toy Story, and Thomas the Tank Engine because this technology allows him to participate in show-and-tell each week.

“He is one tech-savvy first-grader,” said Ms. Morelli. “It is amazing to think he is only 7 years old and can work his devices as well as he does.”

“While Ryan's technology has been a gift to him, the technology has revealed to us the gift that Ryan is,” added Ms. Morelli. “Ryan is pure joy.”

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.

-- Story submitted by Community Consolidated School District 15