| Science and technology continue to produce a wealth | | | | and intellectual skill sets of young children. Special |
| of creative assistive devices, specialized products and | | | | education students learn to use learned skills and |
| unique services that make work and life easier for all | | | | technology to achieve many more goals and compete |
| people, especially the challenged. As a result, a | | | | more effectively for their place in the upcoming "new" |
| previously somewhat marginalized group of the | | | | revamped world. With assistive devices, more can |
| workforce is now able to operate on an almost equal | | | | dream of becoming proud, full-fledged, viable members |
| footing with the rest of the working population. | | | | of the workforce. Assistive devices give the most |
| Combine enhanced personal skills with the assistive | | | | severely challenged people increased mobility and |
| devices and the combination is very powerful. | | | | more ways to communicate their ideas more |
| It is now possible for many disabled and challenged | | | | effectively. |
| people to enter the workforce and do almost anything | | | | The following are some of the personal skills that |
| that a "normal" person does. There is a growing | | | | every person - challenged or not - needs to ensure he |
| number of employees who have learning disabilities, | | | | she can survive and thrive in the future. Technology |
| reactions, syndromes, and other physical and mental | | | | can assist at all stages to ensure the learning is |
| challenges but their assistive devices allow them to | | | | maximized. |
| operate at a high level despite their difficulties. Assistive | | | | Innovation Skills |
| technology allows them to put more time and energy | | | | How to: invent new products/services. Canada needs |
| into thinking and producing instead of just surviving. | | | | to continue to be a breeding ground for innovative and |
| Businesses and corporations often choose to have | | | | valuable new inventions and ideas. Anybody can be an |
| employees engage in staff development. However, | | | | inventor of assistive devices or other useful products |
| learning must be selected carefully because so much | | | | or services! |
| of current knowledge, facts, methods and processes | | | | Communication Skills |
| is outdated and obsolete. The best choice for staff | | | | How to: speak/present professionally, write effectively, |
| development is personal skills training. This is especially | | | | read/use body language. We truly do live in a global |
| true for those employees with physical and mental | | | | village and should be prepared to interface with others |
| challenges. | | | | anywhere in the world. Properly selected assistive |
| The workforce can conceivably expand dramatically if | | | | devices allow disabled and challenged workers to do |
| a difficult question is posed, "How can special needs | | | | the above. |
| people be helped to better fit into the whole scheme | | | | Higher-Level Thinking Skills |
| of things?" There is a positive answer. | | | | How to: analyze, problem-solve, assess little ideas to |
| Skills are more valuable than ever in the struggle to get | | | | find the hidden BIG ones, think in an enhanced way, |
| people to work more efficiently, rebuild and revamp | | | | think logically, use inductive/deductive thinking methods. |
| our economies, and save the planet in general. Skills | | | | These personal skills are not limited to any particular |
| don't get old and obsolete. Advanced technology and | | | | segment of society. |
| personal skills become perfect partners in helping | | | | Self-Awareness Skills |
| special needs people contribute positively despite | | | | "How to: increase levels of perception, relax, de-stress, |
| challenges. | | | | self-motivate, re-energize, recognize success, keep up |
| For challenged and disabled people, emphasis should | | | | the spirits despite intense challenges and competition. |
| be on determining and strengthening their skill set. | | | | All people need to know themselves better in order to |
| Assistive devices can then be used to help the skills | | | | be the best they can be. These personal skills can be |
| grow. | | | | learned by all people including many who are |
| Analytical skills, creativity and problem-solving are | | | | challenged and disabled. |
| strongly empowering and are prized abilities in all areas | | | | Leadership Skills |
| of the workforce. Having a head full of facts and | | | | How to: be a leader, develop teams and think tanks, |
| figures has become of lesser value. Knowing "how to" | | | | achieve win-win outcomes, handle criticism, improve |
| do things is more important. The above skills are not | | | | emotional maturity, determine levels of success. |
| just for able people. They can be taught to anybody at | | | | Disabilities and challenges do not have the limitations |
| any age and at almost any ability. The difference | | | | anymore. Assistive devices help many more people |
| between being able or disabled is far less when | | | | participate effectively in society in leadership roles. |
| assistive devices are employed. | | | | The world is changing dramatically. A very positive |
| Personal skills training produces competency and helps | | | | aspect is that new technology and assistive devices |
| people become independent, self-directed learners. | | | | enhance inclusiveness because they allow almost |
| When processing skills are strengthened and applied to | | | | anybody to be more expressive and therefore more |
| knowledge and facts, the result is better products and | | | | productive. The new Age of Creativity demands |
| outcomes. Assistive technology enables and extends | | | | people be producers of new learning, not just |
| the expression of learned skills. It can greatly increase | | | | consumers. Skills training and advanced assistive |
| speed of acquisition, expression in various media | | | | technology, create a great partnership that helps |
| forms, and ultimately the value of outcomes or | | | | challenged and disabled people strive, survive and |
| products. | | | | thrive. |
| Educators are vital in discovering and nurturing physical | | | | |