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[soft piano music]
♪
(male narrator) "Isabel needs assistive technology".
♪
[description]
Hi Carla, how are you?
What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?
No, I didn't go today.
We will have to talk to your mom about that.
Martha!
[description]
So Carla didn't go to school,
but she went to a meeting with you,
at Isabelita's school?
Yes, but it didn't work out
because Carla did not understand very well,
some papers were missing,
but the teacher gave me this one
and told me to take it,
look at it, and to be prepared
for the next meeting.
[description]
Well, let's see, there's a letter to coordinate
the next IEP, remember?
The "I" what?
The "Individualized Education Program"
the one where the teachers, therapists and school principal
meet and evaluate Isabel's progress
and determine what her needs are.
[description]
Last year, Isabel's teacher called me
because my daughter was having lots of difficulty with reading.
she said she was seeing the letters either backwards,
out of sequence, or she was confusing them,
besides her little hands were not working very well,
and she couldn't get a good grip on the pen to write the letters.
Doctors and specialists evaluated her.
I got the results of the diagnosis
and they explained to me
that Isabelita needed more help
and the school was going to provide it to her.
then we had a meeting at the school
and I signed the papers authorizing this IEP thing.
That day I got so scared
because even the school principal was there
and I thought,
my Lord, they are going to expel her,
what could she have done?
[description]
Well, it's better to respond in writing,
let's write it now.
[description]
Here on the date, I am available in March,
when are you available?
On the twentieth, the twentieth is good.
please have an interpreter,
you want me to come with you?
No, it's okay, I think Ramon will want to go,
and, besides you know,
he is not yet ready for other people to know
about Isabel's problem.
Aah typical , well, if your husband cannot go,
you know I'm available when you need me,
just do not make Carla miss school, okay?
[description]
Many times Martha gets confused and frustrated
when she receives letters from school regarding Isabel.
And poor Carla, who is only 15 years old,
has to play the role of interpreter
when she doesn't even understand what this is all about.
In this country, the school must provide an interpreter,
but you must ask for it.
Otherwise, how will they know that you do not speak English!
[description]
Martha, does Isabel need assistive technology for reading?
Assistive what? And what is that?
I'll explain, assistive technology.
Assistive technology can be anything
from a pencil holder to a computer,
I was just reading something about it.
Let me see, I brought the documents
because as you know,
my son Daniel will be entering middle school,
he needs other things and I needed to have the information.
Look, there's this website
[description]
"The Family Center on Technology and Disability"
it gives you lots of information on the subject
and even provides questions you should be asking.
Oh, the teacher did say something about that,
but I didn't see anything about assistive...
about what you're saying.
But in some forms it is stated as "accommodations" or "supports",
it would be better if you ask the teacher
under what category you can find assistive technology.
Look, I'll show you.
[description]
When you have a child with challenges like I do,
the most important thing to do is to ask questions.
Ask what you don't understand,
consult with people who know more than you
it's the only way for your child to get ahead!
[description]
Here, I'll give you this information
that can help you with your children.
Thank you Tere, you have no idea how much you helped me.
And me too!
[description]
Very well, since we have finished discussing
all of Isabel's academic goals for this year,
is there anything else you want to add?
You will hear this entire meeting in Spanish
so that you can understand,
but in fact, the meeting was held in English
and Martha had an interpreter.
Yes, I have a document, which could help Isabel.
It states we should discuss
in reference to assistive technology
I think an iPad would be beneficial for her
because my friend's son, who has the same condition as Isabel,
was given an iPad at school with literacy programs
and it has been great for him.
Mrs. Martha, you have to understand that the school
doesn't have the funds to buy iPads
for all the students.
That is, we in the IEP, when we discuss it,
we speak about assistive technology,
it doesn't mean that one comes with a list of products
for each of the families who come here.
Maybe if we focus the discussion
based on Isabel's needs,
we can agree on a solution, don't you agree?
I've seen programs for tablets
that have worked very well with children
with fine motor skill problems such as Isabel's.
Also, there are other great programs
that are fantastic and can help her with her writing.
The first thing that needs to be done
is for someone in the school system
to evaluate Isabel,
specifically for assistive technology.
Well, maybe, maybe that's one way to start.
Martha, I don't know if you are aware
that in the school system there is a library of assistive technology
which can provide equipment so children like Isabel
can practice with equipment and programs
to see which works best.
I use it all the time,
and we have some tablets available here at school,
they are not iPads,
but the literacy programs work on them.
Many times parents often ask for equipment based on recommendations
made by family or friends.
The responsibility of the school is:
Identify Isabel's challenges and strengths.
Identify several devices for testing.
Make an assessment in the classroom
with different assistive technologies.
Obtain the best assistive technology.
And train Isabel, Ms. Garcia her teacher,
and the assistants and therapists working with Isabel,
and if necessary, train the family.
[description]
Well, I think that's fine,
but I wouldn't want too much time to pass
without asking for what is really needed
because she would be wasting valuable time
and falling further behind in her reading.
I agree with Martha, we should begin this process as soon as possible.
I can work with Isabel during the coming weeks.
Very well then,
what we can do is meet again in a couple of weeks.
Mrs. Martha, you can take all your documents,
you do not have to sign them now,
perhaps you may want to get advice
from Ms. Garcia or Nelly.
Review them at home and we'll meet again,
Is that OK?
[description]
How wonderful!
[description]
Isabelita finally received her assistive technology.
It has a program that helps her with her fine motor skills
and she is using two literacy programs
designed specifically for her needs.
My daughter is so happy at school,
and I can see she is really progressing.
Look mommy.
That is great!
[description]
Look, it says here that the goals for this year are...
If you agree you can sign it.
[description]
Martha finally lost the fear and shame
to express what she needs and thinks!
We want the best for our children
and this country has resources that allow your child
to develop to the fullest!
But we need to be in constant communication
with teachers and schools.
Tere, it's good I have you as a friend.
Did I tell you I now volunteer at school
to help other parents?
I knew it, I knew you could do it.
Ma, can I have money to go to the movies?
I can't help you with that.
[description]
♪
♪
Subtitles by Dicapta. www.dicapta.com
The child has... he has all the possiblilities
to improve, to do, to become whatever he needs
and everything is there to serve him, to help him.
We hear some words and we say...
I don't know what you are talking about.
We have to ask, we don't have to be afraid,
if you don't understand, always ask.
Here he has... had it all
that is why he has succeeded
and he has gotten to where he is
because here he has received the best.
You have to fight, and talk but...
But we have encountered such,
such good people.
I'm very interested in learning from the parents,
because they are parents that have children
with the same problem as mine.
And they have already gone
through frustrations, goals and everything else,
and for them to share it with you is of great help.
It's like having support, it's an amazing support, you have no idea.
The important thing is parents communicate with other parents.