According to the The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), (National Dissemination Center for Children's with Disabilities , 2012); it ensures services to children with disabilities and they have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education, just like other children. Therefore, technically speaking it would be illegal to provide regular education students with access to technology and special education students no access. Depending on the severity of the special education student they may use the technology differently such as a way to communicate with others if they are non-verbal. Where as other students may use the iPad to play and learn through an interactive phonics game. In fact, there is a section on an Individualized Education Plan* that requires educators to describe any assistive technology devices that might benefit and enhance the learning of a child with special needs.
All students are equal and have the same purpose in life: to go to school and learn and take what they have learned for use in their everyday life and future. This is a purpose for regular and special education students alike.
* an IEP is the legal document that defines a child's special education program. An IEP includes the disability under which the child qualifies for Special Education Services (also known as his classification), the services the team has determined the school will provide, his yearly goals and objectives and any accommodations that must be made to assist his learning.
Source(s):
National Dissemination Center for Children's with Disabilities (2012, November ). Idea—the individuals with disabilities education act. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/laws/idea
Morin , A. (n.d.). Iep- a definition . Retrieved from http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/IEP-Def.htm
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