TORONTO, April 23, 2007 -- Technology that breaks barriers for people with disabilities will be the focus of a conference on Thursday by the York-Seneca Institute for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (YSIMSTE).
Laser surgery, smart homes, kneeling buses and myo-electric limbs, are a few of the leading technologies that improve quality of life for people with disabilities. Along with the latest innovations in those technologies, participants will learn about sound field technologies to maximize hearing and listening in the classroom, assistive technologies for people with visual impairments, barrier-free accessibility and a variety of issues including how to make school curriculum work for all students.
“Technology is a powerful tool to promote social justice and equity,” said Faculty of Education professor Margaret Sinclair, who is co-director of YSIMSTE with Laurel Schollen, dean of Applied Science and Engineering Technology at Seneca. “We want teacher candidates at York to see how technologies can be used not only to increase accessibility, but to improve learning opportunities and, therefore, opportunities in life,” said Sinclair.
Along with teacher candidates from York’s Faculty of Education and technology students from Seneca College, the conference will attract professors from both institutions, educators from schools in Greater Toronto and the surrounding areas, policy makers and members of the public.
A student from York University and a high school will speak about their use of assistive technology. The Laser Eagles Art Guild will also be on hand to demonstrate how a person with a disability can use a laser pointer to produce a painting.
To view the program or register, http://www.ysimste.ca/
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
Media Contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 x22101, wallsj@yorku.ca
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