Technology creates level playing field focuses on making technology accessible to disabled students. Richard Harris, the director of disabled-student development at Ball State University, speaks of three frontiers:
"In the early years, the emphasis was on physical access -- curb ramps, elevators, building entrances, automatic doors and transportation. The second frontier turned to instruction in the classroom. The advances in technology are the third frontier of progress for students with disabilities."
Allow me the use of disability as a metaphor that relates to a broader picture of technology gaps and the digital divide. Physical barriers, technology infrastructure in particular, is woefully missing or inadequate for many segments of the US and the world's population...these are the curbs and missing ramps of access to technology. The presence of a technically savy instructor whether virtually or physically is still a challenge to the world...far too many educators lack the skill to integrate (or determine) the very technology that needs to be employed in the classroom. Advances in technology are not always viewed in a positive life, in fact, the challenges on financial resources can make advances appear unattainable, even if deemed essential.
Levelling the playing field for the physically disabled required a focused definition and legislation to avoid turning the digital divide into a digital chasm. It should not take a leap of genius to believe that if access, classroom integration, and advanced technology needs to be accessible to the physically handicapped then so to do all three of those frontiers need to be conquered for other disenfranchised people.
I think this is the point where I stop and pass the hat...