Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend... Black Diamonds that is.

There is nothing like getting to the top of a mountain and looking down, only to see miles and miles of fresh powder. Untouched yet forgiving, the snowcovered trails await... I grew up skiing and racing on the east coast and went out west for the first time after making the US Deaf Ski Team. Competing with the best Deaf skiers around the world was one of the most exciting experiences I have had as someone with a hearing impairment.

Now as a graduate student in the Deaf Ed program at Teacher's College, another wonderful opportunity has been put on the trail in front of me. As I work towards my M.A and Ed.M here at TC I am attempting to take all the classes I can that will benefit me, like this one, and ultimately my future students.

My experience with adaptive technology goes back to my elementary school days where I wore an FM system in my mainstreamed classes. This enabled me to hear the teacher even with their back turned toward the chalkboard, times when I would be able to lip read or pick up on visual cues, like facial expressions. Throughout my educational career I used an FM system on and off, depending on whether it went with my days outfit or not. Often times it seemed obtrusive, but I know it was only for my benefit. As technology changes and FM systems become sleeker and more finely tuned, I feel that this adaptive technology is simply one part of what makes me a good student.

As for this course, I attempt to bring my perspectives and sensitivity to the table in the hopes that other teacher-students will see the endless possibilities of assistive technology and all that it offers to our students and to education. Perhaps by the end we will not only view AT in a more positive light, but we will also see how imperative it is that all teachers understand and are able to use it so that we can be more well-rounded teachers.